Busy 24 Hours in Camden NJ
Camden Firefighters had a busy 24 hour tour starting on June 16th and ending on June 17th with four all hands fires and two second alarms all in the South Camden section of the city. The first job was a working fire in a row of two story dwellings in the 1200 block Morton Street. Later that day they had a working fire in the middle of a row of two story dwellings in the 700 block of Spruce Street, a few hours later in the am hours they were called to the 700 block of Cherry Street. First in companies found heavy fire showing in a large 3 story brick dwelling that put all companies to work within minutes; part of the structure collapsed and Battalion 1 called for a second alarm. A few minutes later while the fire was going another alarm came in for a working fire at 908 Haddon Avenue, about 6 blocks away.
As the companies were coming in they found another blaze a block away from the first job, in a row of 2 story dwellings at 903 Haddon Avenue. Fire Radio put in a Special call to Camden County Fire Units to respond into the City. Fire Companies from Gloucester City, Oaklyn, Westmont, Collingswood, Pennsauken Township were put to work fighting these blazes. By 4:30 AM all the fires were placed under control.
A few hours later firefighters were dispatched to 620 Sycamore Street for an explosion and fire with reports of people trapped. Engine 8 was first in with Captain Dan Baker. He reported he had the end of a row brick 2 story dwelling that had exploded and had numerous people injured and one victim still trapped on the collapsed second floor and he requested the Second Alarm to be transmitted. Rescue 1 was arriving with Captain Frank Sandrock and Battalion 1 Chief Daryl Lewison along with Squad 7 and Engine 1 and Ladder Companies 2 and 1 and Battalion Chief 2 Mike Dipascale on the second alarm with Engine Companies 6 and Engine 9, Ladder 3 and Special Operations Rescue unit and Car 3 with Deputy Chief Mike Harper and Chief of Department Joseph Marini in Car 1.
Firefighters could hear a female calling for help from the collapsed second floor. Firefighters went to work shoring up the collapsed building. Captain Sandrock of Rescue 1 was OPS Officer. About 30 minutes later firefighters were able to get to the badly injured woman. She had burns over 70 percent of her body. Rescue 1 firefighter Eli Hall was sent up the ladder to bring her down. Camden EMS removed her to Cooper Hospital Trauma.
Two other males were blown out of the second floor of the building onto the street and were taken to the hospital by Camden EMS. Two of the victims were admitted in critical condition. Car 3 Harper placed the assignment under control. The explosion is under investigation by the Camden Fire Marshal Office and Camden Police Arson Unit along with the ATF. Cherry Hill Twp Canteen Unit RIT team and Rehab Unit, and County Fire Police and Camden County Field Com units were Special called. This was a busy 24 hours with 4 all hands and 2 second alarm fires and a life saving rescue.
Story and Photo: Bob Bartosz
