Photos
James L. Snyder Jr.
3 Boys Killed in Camden Fire
Camden Courier-Post —
2 Row Homes Destroyed
Three small boys died and four other persons were injured today as a flash fire swept two Camden row houses at 317–319 Mechanic Street.
One of the injured persons was hurt after leaping from a second floor window. Another was injured dashing through flames and smoke to safety. Two other persons escaped unharmed from the burning buildings.
Fire Marshall George Baxter and Fire Chief Edward Michelak said a kerosene space heater apparently malfunctioned and set off the blaze in the two-story frame home at 317 Mechanic Street shortly before 9 a.m.
Pronounced dead on arrival at West Jersey Hospital was Thomas Carter Ratcliffe, 9, of 317, and his nephews, Randy Smith, 1, of 319, and the latter’s brother, Robert, 2.
The baby was found dead in his crib. His brother and uncle were found dead in the uncle’s bedroom. The older Smith boy was believed to have run from his home through a second floor door to the adjacent home.
Treated at the same hospital were Mrs. Emiline Green, 66, of 321; Edwood Sharp, 39, of 317; Philip Borelli, a fireman attached to Ladder 2; and Patrolman James Snyder, 25, of 835 N. 35th Street.
Mrs. Green, a great-grandmother of the Smith brothers, was admitted for treatment of shock.
She tried to dash through a second floor door linking her home to 319, but flames drove her back. She was led to safety by her husband, James, 60, custodian of a Glassboro dress factory.
Green also carried to safety the Ratcliffe boy’s sister, Shirley, 4, who had spent the night with them. Green and Shirley were unhurt.
Leaps 2 Floors
Sharp was admitted for treatment of a broken right ankle suffered when he leaped to the pavement from a second-floor window. He told police he was aroused by the fire, made a futile effort to rescue the Ratcliffe boy, then was forced to jump because of the intense heat and flames.
Borelli was overcome by smoke while battling the blaze. He was treated at the hospital and then returned to the scene.
Snyder was treated for an ankle injury. He and Patrolman George Pugh discovered the fire as they cruised in the neighborhood in Car No. 23.
They radioed an alarm, then tried to force their way into the house at 317 to rescue its occupants. A blast of heat and flame forced them to retreat as they opened the front door.
Firemen Find Bodies
More than 15 pieces of fire and rescue equipment responded to two alarms. They managed to keep the flames from spreading to the house at 321, although it suffered heavy smoke and water damage.
Five firemen searched the flame-and-smoke-filled buildings for the trapped boys and carried the bodies out.
The firemen were Benjamin Walter of Truck 2; William Kamman of Engine 3; William Stibi of Rescue 1; John DiMaggio, acting captain of Rescue 1 and John McGregory, a fire captain.
Three other occupants of the burned buildings were away at work at the time the fire broke out.
Coal Stove Out
Chief Michelak said they are Mrs. Emma Lou Ratcliffe, of 317, who is employed by a Swedesboro cleaning establishment; Mrs. Patricia Smith of 319, who is employed by a Pennsauken cleaning establishment, and William Roane, 25, of 319, who is employed by a Camden barrel reconditioning firm.
Mrs. Ratcliffe is the daughter of Mrs. Green. She is the mother of Shirley and Thomas Carter Ratcliffe and of Mrs. Smith. The latter is the mother of Randy and Robert Smith.
The fire chief said that Mrs. Smith told him that she had found a cellar coal stove had gone out when she awakened to go to work. He said she told him she lit the kerosene heater and left for work about 8:25 a.m.
Obituary
Camden Courier-Post —
SNYDER, James L., Jr. On August 30, 2009, of Haddon Township, formerly of Camden. Age 68. Beloved husband of Rose (nee Foga) of 43 years. Devoted father of James L. Snyder, III (Ellen) and Michael J. Snyder (Dawn). Loving Pop of Michael II and Robert. Dear son of the late James L. Snyder, Sr. and Florabelle (nee Jenkins). Loving brother of the late John H. Whalen. Mr. Snyder was a member of the F.O.P. — Lodge # 1, P.B.A. — Local 35, Henry Haines # 253 — PM, Crusade Commandery # 23 — P.C., Scottish Rite — Valley of S. N.J., Zerubbabel Chapter # 63 RAM, Crescent Shrine, Knight Masons Council # 11, Knights of Columbus, Santa Maria Council, the NJ State Retired Police & Fire Association Local # 11, S.J. Suburban Police and the 17th VA Inf., — CO. E (Reenactment Group). Mr. Snyder was a member of the Camden Police Department from 1964 to 1991 and retired as a Sergeant. He was also the former Director of Camden Police Academy. Mr. Snyder worked for the Camden County Department of Corrections from 1991 to 2004 as the Director of the Corrections Academy. Relatives and friends are invited to attend the viewing Wednesday evening from 7 to 9pm and Thursday morning from 9 to 10am at GARDNER FUNERAL HOME, RUNNEMEDE. Funeral Mass 11am Thursday at St. Aloysius RC Church, Oaklyn. Interment New St. Mary’s Cemetery, Bellmawr. The family requests that donations be made in Mr. Snyder’s memory to the American Heart Association, 1 Union Street, Suite 301, Robbinsville, NJ 08691.