Fire at 3155 Merriel Avenue

After budget cuts brought on in great part by poor leadership at the state level from both political parties under Governors Whitman, McGreevey, Codey, and Corzine, the City of Camden laid off a large number of its professional fire department at the end of 2010. Former Chief David A. Yates had offered three plans on how to cope with the situation; all were rejected by parties at Camden’s City Hall, and a plan for the Fire Department — which to date I have not been able to find out who authored — was handed back to the Chief. Chief Yates subsequently chose to retire, and Chief Michael Harper was appointed as his replacement. Chief Harper inherited a no-win situation, and the losses began almost immediately. With fire companies closed in different parts of the city, response times to fire calls increased, homes that could have been saved were destroyed, and civilians injured.

June and July saw four large and abandoned industrial properties go up in flames, with one blaze on June 9 at the abandoned warehouse on Chestnut Street that formerly housed the Reliable Tire Company, going to 12 alarms. Ten occupied homes were completely destroyed, as were all the industrial buildings, and thirteen other homes on Chestnut Street were badly damaged by smoke and water. August was relatively quiet, fire-wise, although the department was kept quite busy with other calls, including two jobs relating to the earthquake and numerous non-fire runs relating to Hurricane Irene.

Shortly after roll call on the morning of August 26th, the Camden Fire Department was summoned to fight a fire in the 500 block of Jackson Street. Four vacant units, 547, 549, 551, and 553 Jackson Street, were destroyed.

Ten minutes before roll call on Friday, 500 block of Jackson Street. Received a few calls for fire in a vacant. Battalion 1 arrived and reported fire on the first floor, middle of the row vacant, ordered Engine 10 to pick up the hydrant at 6th and Jackson, and transmitted the all hands. Car 3 reported at 10 minutes heavy fire 1st and 2nd floors, companies opening up, fire extending to Bravo and Delta exposures. At 20 minutes Car 3 reported multiple handlines stretched and operating, fire conditions still on 1st and 2nd floors. Original fire building 549 Jackson Street. Responding companies were Squad 7, Engine 10, Ladder 1, Ladder 3, Rescue 1, Battalion 1. On the all hands — Engine 1, Engine 9, and Car 3. At 30 minutes Car 3 reported still operating with multiple handlines, making good progress, fire probable will hold. At 40 minutes Car 3 placed fire under control. Time received 0650 hours, Fire under control 0632 hours.

The quiet time for fires ended on September 9, 2011 with a bedroom fire at 3037 Mount Ephraim Avenue.

Companies dispatched to 3037 Mt. Ephraim Avenue at 1547 hours, report of smoke from windows. Initial dispatch — Engine 10, Squad 7, Ladder 1, Ladder 3, Rescue 1, Battalion 1. Upon receiving more calls reporting same, Engine 1 was added as the second source engine. Battalion 1 arrived with smoke showing, Engine 10 had a hydrant and was stretching a handline, Rescue 1 was conducting a primary search, and Ladder 1 would open up 2nd Floor upon arrival. Car 3 responded and took command. Searches were negative, fire under control at 1610 hours. Fire marshal requested to respond.

This fire is being investigated as an arson. Witnesses saw youths running from the property at the time the fire broke out.

Twenty-four hours and some odd minutes later, the Camden Fire Department would be called on again, to put out a kitchen fire at 191 Ablett Village.

Calls for smoke from Apartment 191 Ablett Village at 1621 hours. Initial dispatch — Engine 11, Engine 1, Ladder 3, Ladder 1, Rescue 1, and Battalion 1. Squad 7 dispatched as second source company. Engine 11 arrived and reported light smoke, being waved in. Battalion 1 arrived and reported Engine 11 was stretching a handline, companies operating with a kitchen fire. At 1635 Battalion 1 reported fire contained to the first floor kitchen, primary search negative, companies ventilating. Fire under control 1635 hours.

On September 14 another home was struck by fire, this time at 3155 Merriel Avenue in East Camden.

At 1254 hours companies dispatched to the rear of 3176 Westfield Ave for report of a dwelling fire. Engine 9, Engine 11, Ladder 3, Ladder 1 (FAST TRUCK), Rescue 1, and Battalion 1. Tower Ladder 3 arrived with a two-story middle of the row dwelling, heavy smoke showing. Squad 7 dispatched as the second source company. Battalion 1 shortly after the 10 minute mark reported Engine 9 had the bulk of the fire on the second floor knocked down, Ladder 3 conducted a primary search with negative results and was ventilating. Fire under control 1307 hours. All Hands was NOT struck. Correct address 3155 Merriel Avenue. EMS dispatched for an occupant with chest pain.

Many thanks to Fire Dispatcher Matt DeGailler for his help with the accounts of how these fires were handled.

See also: The Fires of the Summer of 2011