Introduction
Ladder Company 2 was organized on March 1, 1900 and entered service the same date at 619 Kaighn Avenue in South Camden, sharing a building with Engine Company 8 at that site until 1986. This unit was the last company to operate with horse drawn fire apparatus. The department became fully motorized on April 6, 1916 when new equipment was put into service. The Company was relocated to the former quarters of Ladder Company 4 at 2500 Morgan Boulevard. The unit remained at that location until May 27, 1993 when it was again moved, this time to the new firehouse at 1301 Broadway.
Ladder Company 2 on Kaighn Avenue
Ladder Company 2 on Kaighn Avenue — 1905
Ladder Company 2 on Kaighn Avenue about 1914 — 65’ Aerial Balock
From left: driver unknown; standing Samuel Price, unknown, unknown, unknown, Harry M. Chambers, unknown; tillerman unknown
Ladder Company 2 on Kaighn Avenue about 1914 — 65’ Aerial Balock
1916 Boyd 85 Foot Aerial Ladder
Six Hurt, One May Die as Result of Collingswood Fire
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Assemblyman John B. Kates, of Camden, One of Injured
Enterprise Wall Paper Plant Burns to Ground, Carrying Loss of $100,000
Special to The Inquirer. COLLINGSWOOD, N. J., Feb. 6.—Six men severely injured, one probably fatally, was the toll of the human damage done this evening when the Enterprise Wall Paper Company’s plant burned to the ground, entailing a loss of more than $100,000, which is thought to be covered by insurance.
The injured are Assemblyman John B. Kates, member of the local fire department, head and face cut by fragments of falling wall, Harry Grasenor, Collingswood, head and legs injured and hurt internally, thought to be serious, taken to Cooper Hospital, Camden; Charles Frech, Collingswood, slightly hurt, taken home; Captain George B. Wade, Sr., Engine Company No. 7, Camden, broken ankle, taken to Cooper Hospital, Camden; William Laird, Engine Company No. 7, Camden, broken hip, taken to Homeopathic Hospital, Camden; Howard Matthews, Camden, broken knee, taken to Cooper Hospital, Camden.
The fire started about 5 30 on the lower floor from unknown causes. The local department was called out, but soon found that it could not cope with the blaze, which was fast eating its way through the building. All the employes had gotten out when the fire was discovered. A call was sent to Camden and Engine Company No. 7 and Kaighn Avenue Truck responded. It was soon seen that the building could not be saved and attention was turned to the surrounding buildings. In this the firemen were successful.
It was while bending their efforts toward saving the adjoining buildings that the west wall fell while firemen were near it. Six men were caught and the bricks covered them, but they were pulled out of the burning debris by forces of willing hands.
Nearly one hundred men are thrown out of work. The owner of the factory, Phillip Isaacs, of Philadelphia, is undecided whether or not to rebuild here. The West Jersey and Seashore Railroad to Atlantic City runs close to the building, which puts passenger trains in great danger.
Captain Todd Placed on Pension
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Camden Council’s Fire Committee yesterday granted the application of Captain Charles Todd to be placed on pension February 28. Lieutenant Charles Watkins, of No. 5 Company, was advanced to a captaincy, and Harry Chambers, of No 2 Truck, was made a lieutenant. Alfred Lasby, of the Fourth ward, was made a fireman to fill the vacancy in the department. Captain Todd has been in the department for twenty-two years and is head of No 7 Engine Company.
1927 American LaFrance Model
A wooden model in miniature scale of Ladder Company 2’s 1927 American LaFrance tractor trailer. Model measures 65” long, 11” high.
Iron Bars Prevent Rescue of Boy Who Dies in Camden Fire
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Six Firemen Injured in Heroic Attempts to Save Little Victim
Doomed Lad Stares Piteously Out Windows as House Is Blazing Furnace
Iron bars built into the window sills when the place was used as a bank prevented the rescue of a boy who perished in a blaze at 1009 Broadway, Camden, last night.
In desperate endeavor to rescue the boy, Harry Armbruster, Jr., 11 years old, six firemen were seriously injured. All are in the Cooper Hospital with various injuries.
The firemen on their ladders could see the boy through the window in his little sleeping room at the rear of the second floor. They tried to wrench out the bars, but, built to resist burglars, the staunch pieces of iron resisted all their efforts.
The front of the house was an inferno of flame and smoke, and entrance to the doomed boy in that way was impossible. No one could have lived in the furnace a moment.
The frenzied firemen, stung to deeds of super-heroism by the sight of the little chap staring white-faced through the iron bars that were to cost him his life, broke into the building on the ground floor and groped their way through the smoke to his room.
Help Comes Too Late
But it was too late. The flames and smoke had licked their way to him, and when the firemen fought their way through he was unconscious. He died on the way to the hospital.
The names of the fire heroes who are in the hospital are:
CAPTAIN WILLIAM PRICE, No. 2 Truck.
FIREMAN JOHN HUNT, No. 8 Engine Company.
FIREMAN IRWIN BISHOP, No. 2 Truck Company.
CAPTAIN CHARLES WATKINS, No. 7 Engine Company.
FIREMAN WILLIAM MERRIGAN, No. 7 Engine Company.
FIREMAN WILLIAM REYNOLDS, No. 2 Truck Company.
The two firemen who carried the boy out were Captain Price and Hoseman Reynolds.
Replete with dramatic details, the story of the rescue will go down in the annals of New Jersey’s fire-fighters’ heroism in golden letters, for the firemen who tried distinguished themselves in their brave attempts.
The building where the fire occurred is owned by Harry Ambruster, the boy’s father. It was formerly occupied by the Broadway Trust Company, but is now a store building.
Ambruster maintains a cleaning establishment in the basement of the building and lives above the store. He is a widower and his son was motherless. Shortly before 11 o’clock, Ambruster, preparatory to closing his cleaning establishment, went into the yard behind the store, and smelling smoke, investigated. He found that the smoke came from the cellar and he knew that his son was asleep in the front room of the second-story.
Because the building was formerly occupied by the banking company, all the windows are protected with heavy iron barrings. Ambruster was torn between two duties. He wanted to run upstairs to get his son safely out of the burning structure and he wanted to turn in an alarm. Shouting “Fire! Fire!” he ran to the front part of the building, and tried to go upstairs.
Staircase Mass of Flames
The staircase was in the midst of a roaring mass of flames, however, and he could not get upstairs. Distraught, the father frantically ran hither and thither outside. The fire engines had been summoned and firemen had raised ladders to the second story window, having been told of the presence of the sleeping boy.
The bars were immovable. Captain Price pried with an iron crowbar, but in vain. In the meantime Firemen Hunt, Bishop and Merrigan and Captain Watkins had tried to make their way through the burning first floor to the staircase and the sleeping boy.
Two Overcome in Building
Bishop and Merrigan were overcome and lay inside the burning building unknown to the firemen on the outside. It looked as though the floor would collapse at any minute.
Captain Price and Reynolds, staggering through the hall with the almost dead boy, passed the unconscious Bishop and Merrigan on the way.
Price Goes It Alone
At the foot of the stairs, Reynolds, overcome by the dense smoke, collapsed. Captain Price continued alone, carrying the boy over his shoulder.
The lad’s father was by this time frantic with excitement. When Price appeared in the doorway framed against a background of rolling flames, he ran forward and seized his son. They were placed in an ambulance and rushed to the Cooper Hospital. There doctors pronounced the boy dead.
Captain Price in the meantime had told of the three unconscious firemen inside the burning building who were in imminent danger of death should the floor fall in.
Rescuers immediately dashed into the burning structure and brought out their comrades and all were rushed to the hospital.
The building, a two-story brick edifice, was directly behind the Lyric Theatre, where a crowded audience was witnessing a motion picture performance. Realizing the proximity of the fire, and fearing a panicky stampede, the orchestra continued to play, and the operator was given orders to continue the picture then showing for ten minutes. Then the smoke became noticeable within the theatre, and the performance was ended. The audience left the theatre quietly, without any sign of fear or panic.
Three alarms were turned in during the fire, and the building was practically destroyed.
1927 American LaFrance 75’ Aerial
1927 American LaFrance 75’ Aerial #5789 — June 15, 1972
Apparatus was in reserve at time photo was taken.
Apparatus
1947 Pirsch 100 Foot Aerial Ladder
Firemen Rescue Cat Entangled in Wires
Camden Courier-Post —
Sometimes it wasn’t about putting out a fire!
FIREMEN RESCUE CAT ENTANGLED IN WIRES
Nearly 500 persons gathered at Tenth Street and Kaighn Avenue yesterday to watch policemen and firemen recover a cat that had climbed up a pole and become entangled in telephone wires.
The crowd began to gather when a resident nearby saw the cat’s predicament and tried to persuade it to come down. Tabby simply couldn’t make the return trip. The Second Police District patrol was summoned. Without a ladder or climbing irons, its crew was powerless.
Fire Truck Co. No. 2, Sixth Street and Kaighn Avenue, was called. Its men threw up a ladder and the cat soon was safety back to earth. In the absence of anyone identifying it, it was placed in a nearby drug store.
Storeroom Blazes at N. Y. Ship Plant
Camden Courier-Post —
3 Fire Companies Work 25 Minutes as Short Circuit Burns Supplies
Two engine companies and a hook and ladder company of the Camden Fire Department was summoned to the New York Shipbuilding yard at 12.45 a. m. today to extinguish a blaze in a storeroom. The fire, which burned maintenance equiqment [sic] such as mops, buckets and small machinery and electric light bulbs, was brought under control within 25 minutes, firemen said.
The firemen said the blaze, apparently due to a short circuit, was in a storeroom immediately in back of the boiler room in the main yard near Newton Creek. No ways, on which naval ships are being built, were near. No estimate of damage was made. Responding companies were Engine Companies No. 10, of Ninth and Morgan streets, and No. 3, of Broadway and Ferry avenue, and Hook and Ladder Company No. 2, of Sixth and Kaighn avenue. The Second District patrol crew also responded.
Ladder Company 2 in Action
Ladder Company 2 in action
Ladder Company 2 in Action
Ladder Company 2 in action
Rendering Mutual Aid in Gloucester City
Rendering Mutual Aid in Gloucester City — March 10, 1960
Third Alarm — Broadway & Chestnut Street
Engine Company 1 — Engine Company 8 — Ladder Company 2
Engine Company 8 with deckpipe from hose wagon, operates master stream into top floor of commercial building during Third Alarm at Walmart Clothing, Broadway & Chestnut Street, South Camden on 1-14-1964.
Units press an all out attack as Chief Officers confer during Third Alarm at Broadway & Chestnut Street in South Camden on 1-14-1964.
Fighting two enemies at the same time amid fire and ice is a frequent scourge of fire fighters. Members are seen directing exterior streams at Walmart fire, Broadway & Chestnut Street on 1-14-1964 under punishing conditions.
At Broadway & Chestnut Street in South Camden. Member seen at center of photo is Captain Leonard Iannelli of Ladder Company 2 just moments before his death. At left is Deputy Chief Austin Marks during Third Alarm, 1-14-1964.
Ladder Companies 1 & 2 — Chestnut Street from Orchard Street
1965 — Photo by Bob Bartosz
Looking east on Chestnut Street from Orchard Street, Ladder Companies 1 and 2, 1965.
Fire Hydrant Vandalism Cited
Camden Courier-Post —
3-Alarm Blaze in S. Camden
Camden’s director of public works today cited vandalism and improper equipment as reasons for yesterday’s fire hydrant problem at the scene of a three-alarm fire at 1729 Railroad Avenue.
Angelo Errichetti said the hydrant at 7th and Van Hook Streets, had been repaired Sept. 19 and charged vandals with damaging it again. The director also said that water department employes removed the cap on the hydrant opposite 614 Van Hook Street following the fire. Firemen charged they were unable to remove the cap at the time of the fire.
Errichetti said he will have the fire department equipped with heavier wrenches in preparation for a similar incident.
The fire, which destroyed an unoccupied house before it was brought under control, apparently was caused by vandals, according to Fire Capt. Philip A. Stinger. He added that the blaze is under investigation.
The blaze also sparked a double probe when Fire Chief Edward V. Michalak charged the two hydrants were “faulty.” The chief requested an explanation from the water department.
Errichetti explained that the city’s 1750 hydrants are inspected continually as often as manpower provides. He called vandalism the department’s biggest problem.
“Vandals break off fittings for the brass content,” he said. “Then they fill the hydrant with dirt, stones and debris which clog the fire pumpers.”
Errichetti also said he has notified all city junk dealers to report to police anyone attempting to sell the hydrant parts. He further cited the failure of motorists to report damaged hydrants following accidents. He said five were damaged during the past weekend.
The fire, which broke out at 1:28 p.m., destroyed the unoccupied house before it was brought under control at 2 p.m. A nearby home at 1727 Railroad Avenue suffered extensive damage on its roof and wooden window frames, but other neighborhood dwellings were unharmed.
Third Battalion Chief Theodore (Ted) Primas said, however, at its height, the blaze threatened to jump a 10-foot alleyway and burn nearby homes.
2 Firemen Hurt
At one point, the entire rear of the building collapsed and fell inside the walls. Firemen used the roof at 1731 Railroad Avenue to train water into the blazing building.
A fireman, Albert Jones, 26, of 1146 Kenwood Avenue, a member of No. 2 Ladder Company, was treated for a cut left eye at West Jersey Hospital after he was hit by flying glass during “cleanup operations.”
Jones and Thomas Robinson of 1727 Railroad Avenue, who suffered a sprained left ankle while fleeing the intense heat, were the only known victims of the fire.
Unconfirmed reports yesterday claimed one of two vagrants, known by neighbors to have been sleeping in the vacant building, may have been inside when the fire started, but no confirmation was made today.
1420 Park Boulevard
Circa 1968
Circa 1968 — Lynette Hegdspeth of 1419 Park Boulevard rings bell of Ladder 2 Truck
337–343 Pine Street
— Photo by Bob Bartosz
Elements of Ladder Company 2 and other units at 337 and 343 Pine Street, March 15, 1973.
Liberty Public School — 740 Spruce Street
Liberty Public School — 740 Spruce Street
Engine Company 8 & Ladder Company 2 on scene in front of school
Fire Fighter William Hopkins at the Tiller of Ladder Company 1
Fire at The Hurley Store — Broadway & Pine Street
Fire at The Hurley Store, Broadway & Pine Street, March 27, 1977.
Broadway at Everett Street
1981
1981 — Ladder 2 on Broadway at Everett Street. The Ebony Showplace nightclub had been an A&P Grocery Store before being converted into a nightclub in the late 1970s.
1981 — Firefighter Pete Carbone kneeling. Battalion Captain Chip Ayers with back to camera.
1992 Sutphen 100 Foot Tower Ladder
1992 Sutphen 100 Foot Tower Ladder
1475 South 6th Street — Atlantic Avenue at 6th Street
Late 1980s – Early 1990s
Late 1980s or early-mid 1990s — Ladder 2 on Atlantic Avenue near 6th Street. Fire at 1475 South 6th Street. Former Allied Metal Stamping Co. Building, last used as a church.
Engine Company 8 was also on the scene.
Broadway & Jackson Street
Broadway & Jackson Street — June 30, 1990
Ladder 2 at rear of meat packing plant, with Ladder 3.
Ladder 2 in Action
About 1993
About 1993 — Ladder 2 in action
Ladder Company 2 at 1301 Broadway
1994
1994 — Ladder Company 2 at the 1301 Broadway Firehouse
A Meal at Liberty Station
Circa 1994
Ladder Company 2 — Engine Company 8
HEAT WITHOUT SMOKE: Engine 8, Ladder 2, and Battalion 3 in the kitchen with fire extinguishers ready as Firefighter Denny Deal dishes out the noon meal of Four Alarm Chile to brother member William Bain Jr. at the Liberty Station firehouse at 1301 Broadway.
From Left: Kevin Haley — Charles Gibson — unknown (behind Gibson) — James T. Robinson — Anthony Dowidowicz — John Vincent (at head of table) — Bill Bain — Denny Deal
1992 Sutphen at Liberty Station
1301 Broadway
1992 Sutphen 100 Foot Tower Ladder at Liberty Station firehouse — 1301 Broadway
Mt. Ephraim Avenue & Kaighn Avenue
1994
1994 — 1992 American LaFrance Pumper, 1500 GPM
Ladder Company 2 & Engine Company 8 at Mt. Ephraim Avenue & Kaighn Avenue
Left: William A. Barnhill of Ladder 2
Ladder Company 2
July 1999
Ladder Company 2
January 18, 2000
Looking South on Louis Street Towards Sycamore Street
August 26, 2001 — Looking South on Louis Street towards Sycamore Street
620 Sycamore Street — June 17, 2006
Story and Photo: Bob Bartosz
Busy 24 Hours in Camden NJ — 6 Working Fires along with a Rescue
Camden Firefighters had a Busy 24 hour tour starting on June 16th and ending on June 17th with Four All Hands Fire 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 latter in the am hours they were call to the 700 block of Cherry Street.
First in companies found heavy fire show in a large 3 story brick dwelling that put all companies to work within minutes part of the structure collapsed. Battalion 1 called for a second alarm. A few minutes latter while to 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 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 place the assignment 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 fire and a life saving rescue.
Ladder Company 2
Camden Fire Department — Ladder Company 2 — June 11, 2011
Ed Stratton, tillerman
On Fillmore Street crossing Jefferson Street
On South 10th Street at Ferry Avenue
Credits
Some photographs here are from the limited edition book Fire Department Camden NJ 125th Anniversary 1869–1994. Many were taken by Department photographer Bob Bartosz.
Thanks to Joel Bain of the Camden Fire Department for making certain images available.
Firemen Rescue Boy From Tree
Camden Courier-Post —
Robert Johnson, 8, of 3330 Atlanta rd., learned the hard way that climbing a tree is only the half of it—you have to come down.
While he and some playmates were coming down a huge tree on a lot behind the home of Mrs. Marion Cowdright, of 1613 Olympia rd., Thursday afternoon, Robert became wedged between two limbs.
Panic-stricken, the lad called to his friends for help. He was heard by Janet Cowdright, 10, who ran to tell her mother.
Mrs. Cowdright telephoned the electrical bureau. Truck Company 2 was sent under Capt. Warren Carter, who with Ladderman Thomas Warren climbed 16 feet up a ladder to reach the boy.