12-13-06 306 Broadway - 3 Alarm Building Fire
Task Force 5(Gloucester City, Westville, Mt. Ephraim) were dispatched for a reported building fire at Essex and Broadway on December 13, 2006 at 12:37am.
County Radio advised units responding they were receiving multiple calls for smoke in the area. County Radio also advised units Police arrived on location with heavy smoke showing from “Pirates Den” bar with possible people trapped. ALS and BLS from Camden City were added to the box. Squad 5-1 arrived on location to find a 3 story building with heavy smoke on the number 3 floor of the residential side. (The structure was a bar with an apartment above)The all hands was sounded with Camden City being added to the box being equivalent to the 2nd Alarm. Engine 10 and 8, Ladders 2 and 1, Rescue 1 and Battalion 1 were called to the scene. Squad 5-1 went in service with a 1.75” handline to find heavy fire conditions on the 3rd floor with fire conditions getting worse. A search for any trapped occupants turned up negative. Around the 20 minute mark, Command ordered the evacuation tones and ordered companies to go into defensive attack. One firefighter was reported to be missing on the 3rd floor at that time. Minutes later all firefighters were accounted for and safely exited the structure. The fire was through the roof at this time. The 3rd Alarm was sounded bringing in multiple mutual aid companies to the scene. Additional apparatus was called in after the 3rd Alarm as well. Command reported all companies were setting up master streams as additional water supplies were being established. Command reported at the 50 minute mark, heavy fire conditions were still present with 5 Arial devices in operation as well as multiple 2 ½’ lines. One civilian who was in the residence at the time was treated by EMS and transported to an area hospital. Initial reports indicated they attempted to use a fire extinguisher to extinguish the blaze before getting out. One firefighter was transported to an area hospital as well. The status of this firefighter was unknown at this time but did not have life threatening conditions. The fire was placed under control at the 2 ½ hour mark. Firefighters remained on scene well into the morning hours working on hot spots. The Camden County Fire Marshals Office is investigating the fire at this time.
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