Trenton Evening Times, November 24, 1977View transcription
Cigarettes or heater sparked fire
CAMDEN (AP) — A fire that killed five residents of an unlicensed boarding home for the elderly was started by a cigarette or a portable heater, authorities say.
The Wednesday morning fire, which started on the front porch, trapped the five residents in their beds. Hospital officials said the victims died of smoke inhalation.
Fire Marshal Harold Pike said the 2½-story frame structure lacked a fire escape, smoke alarm and sprinkler system. But under the local fire code the devices only are required on buildings three stories or taller, he said.
State health department records revealed the building's owner, Mrs. Elizabeth Coleman, was ordered to close the boarding home in 1974 because it was unlicensed and didn't have an adequate fire alarm system.
A spokesman for the department said Mrs. Coleman also owns an old-age home adjacent to the destroyed structure. He said a state inspection in April discovered 27 violations at the old-age home, including a jammed fire door, occupancy by more than 10 persons permitted by the license, deficiencies in care and failure to submit proof of electrical inspection.
Authorities identified the fire victims as William Godwin, 56; William Robinson, 74; Margaret Quillan, 63; and Aida Folks and Beatrice Taylor, for whom no ages were given.
A sixth resident of the home, Walter Gatter, 80, jumped from a second floor window. He was hospitalized in stable condition.
CAMDEN (AP) — A fire that killed five residents of an unlicensed boarding home for the elderly was started by a cigarette or a portable heater, authorities say.
The Wednesday morning fire, which started on the front porch, trapped the five residents in their beds. Hospital officials said the victims died of smoke inhalation.
Fire Marshal Harold Pike said the 2½-story frame structure lacked a fire escape, smoke alarm and sprinkler system. But under the local fire code the devices only are required on buildings three stories or taller, he said.
State health department records revealed the building's owner, Mrs. Elizabeth Coleman, was ordered to close the boarding home in 1974 because it was unlicensed and didn't have an adequate fire alarm system.
A spokesman for the department said Mrs. Coleman also owns an old-age home adjacent to the destroyed structure. He said a state inspection in April discovered 27 violations at the old-age home, including a jammed fire door, occupancy by more than 10 persons permitted by the license, deficiencies in care and failure to submit proof of electrical inspection.
Authorities identified the fire victims as William Godwin, 56; William Robinson, 74; Margaret Quillan, 63; and Aida Folks and Beatrice Taylor, for whom no ages were given.
A sixth resident of the home, Walter Gatter, 80, jumped from a second floor window. He was hospitalized in stable condition.
