Camden NJ Fire Fighters Battle Smoky 2-Alarm Blaze

By Camden NJ History

December 13, 2007 · Updated October 4, 2026 · 2 min read · Historical Accounts

Story and photographs by Bob Bartosz

Shortly after 1:00 PM on December 13, 2007 a police car on patrol spotted heavy smoke coming from a row of vacant dwellings in the 600 block of Bailey Street in the North Camden section of the city. At the same time Camden County Fire Radio and Camden Police 911 Center were receiving calls for the same fire location. Companies were now dispatched along with Battalion 2 Chief Mike DiPascale. Fire Radio informed Battalion 2 that they were receiving numerous calls and were adding the extra Engine Company to the Box.

Engine Company 6, under the Command of Captain Sandrock was first on location and reported that he had a row of two story vacant dwellings with the first two dwellings heavily involved and that he was going in service. Battalion 2 was now on location and informed Fire Radio to strike an All Hands Box and requested an additional Engine and Ladder Company to be dispatched.

It was a rainy, misty day and the smoke was so heavy that fire fighters had a hard time trying to see up the street to where the fire was located. All of the dwellings were heavily boarded up, making it extremely hard for the fire fighters to make entry. Truck Companies went up to the roof to ventilate. Six 1-3/4” lines were now in service as fire fighters were making good progress attacking the fire. They were able to contain the blaze to two dwellings with some damage to the third dwelling. About 40 minutes into the fire Chief DiPascale placed the fire Under Control. The fire is being investigated by the Camden City Fire Marshal’s Office and the Camden Police Department Arson Squad.

Members of Engine Company 6 entering 617 Bailey Street, December 13, 2007 — Members of Engine Company 6, commanded by Captain Sandrock, going into 617 Bailey Street. Photo by Bob Bartosz.

Fire at 617-619 Bailey Street, December 13, 2007 — Fire at 617–619 Bailey Street, December 13, 2007. Photo by Bob Bartosz.

Members of Ladder Company 3 heading to the roof, December 13, 2007 — Members of Ladder Company 3, in the command of Captain Andy Magee, heading to the roof to ventilate. Photo by Bob Bartosz.

Fire hose operations at 617-619 Bailey Street, December 13, 2007 — Fire hose operations at 617–619 Bailey Street, December 13, 2007. Photo by Bob Bartosz.

Smoke was so heavy fire fighters had trouble seeing up the street, December 13, 2007. Photo by Bob Bartosz.

Members of Ladder Company 1 and Rescue Company 1 entering boarded-up dwellings, December 13, 2007 — Members of Ladder Company 1, led by Captain Merklein, and Rescue Company 1, under Captain Glassman, making entry into the heavily boarded-up dwellings. Photo by Bob Bartosz.

Fire fighters force through heavy smoke at 617-619 Bailey Street, December 13, 2007 — Fire fighters force through heavy smoke at 617–619 Bailey Street, December 13, 2007. Photo by Bob Bartosz.

Fire fighter used a chainsaw to cut through the boarded-up door, December 13, 2007 — A fire fighter used a chainsaw to cut through the boarded-up door, December 13, 2007. Photo by Bob Bartosz.

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