Important Note!

This site is a mirror of Phil's old site at dvrbs.com. and is generally not maintained.

For a modern experience, including mobile, please check out: https://camdenhistory.com.

Burns Street

Camden Street
Page Contents

Burns Street

Burns Street was in Camden’s Poet’s Row neighborhood. The three blocks of houses that came to be known as Poet’s Row first appear in the Camden City Directory of 1890–1891. Named for famous figures of English literature, the streets ran east and west from North 2nd Street, north of Erie Street. The first street north of Erie was Byron Street, followed by Burns Street and Milton Street. Only a few homes are noted in the 1890–1891 directory on Burns Street, at either end of the block, and only the 200 block is listed. This would indicate that Byron Street was built first, from the ends in, then Burns, and lastly Milton Street. A 300 block of Byron Street was built later, and also a 500 block of Byron Street.

North Camden in the 1890s offered many employment opportunities. Camden’s industries were booming, and entrepreneurs came to Camden to set up shop. The new houses were snapped up mostly by tradesmen and skilled workers, with more than a few taking advantage of the short walks to the Vine Street and Shackamaxon ferries to commute back and forth to Philadelphia. The builder also made provisions for corner stores so the residents could shop conveniently. The sidewalks, like many of that era, were brick, and the streets were paved with cobblestone.

The Poet’s Row neighborhood remained a vibrant place for decades, until, of course, after World War II, when the jobs began to leave North Camden. Perhaps it was poetic, with no pun intended, that the disaster that destroyed Poet’s Row occurred when a recently closed factory building caught fire; the fire spreading to the homes, and in one hellish night destroying Milton Street, Burns Street, and the north side of Byron Street, where only two homes at the east end of the block, 241 and 243 Byron Street, were saved. Burns Street was no more. When dawn broke on August 24, 1972 Burns Street was gone.

Advertisement

Camden, NJ — 1914

1914 map of North Camden showing Burns Street as the second northernmost street

Burns Street is the second northernmost street in North Camden on this map.

200 Block of Burns Street

200 Block of Burns Street — Occupants

Address and occupant records from city directories, 1890–1969.

200 Burns Street

200 Burns Street — 200 Block of Burns Street — Occupants
Year ↕ Name ↕
1929Charles Edwards
1947Hughbert J. Crossett

201 Burns Street

201 Burns Street — 200 Block of Burns Street — Occupants
Year ↕ Name ↕
1947Vacant

202 Burns Street

202 Burns Street — 200 Block of Burns Street — Occupants
Year ↕ Name ↕
1947Max Feldestein

203 Burns Street

203 Burns Street — 200 Block of Burns Street — Occupants
Year ↕ Name ↕
1947Daniel H. Webster

204 Burns Street

204 Burns Street — 200 Block of Burns Street — Occupants
Year ↕ Name ↕
1947Raymond A. Seth
1969R.W. Williams

205 Burns Street

205 Burns Street — 200 Block of Burns Street — Occupants
Year ↕ Name ↕
1947William F. Evans

206 Burns Street

206 Burns Street — 200 Block of Burns Street — Occupants
Year ↕ Name ↕
1918Frank Herman Keeley — WW1 draft registrant
1929Peter L. Walter
1947George P. Morris

207 Burns Street

207 Burns Street — 200 Block of Burns Street — Occupants
Year ↕ Name ↕
1947Mrs. Catherine Turner

208 Burns Street

208 Burns Street — 200 Block of Burns Street — Occupants
Year ↕ Name ↕
1926–1947Gregory Worona & Family
1926–1947Gregory & Mary Worona
1926–1947Jennie Worona
1926–1947Rosie Worona
1926–1947Frank Worona
1929Robert A. Allen — burglary victim
1942Draft Card

209 Burns Street

209 Burns Street — 200 Block of Burns Street — Occupants
Year ↕ Name ↕
1947Mrs. Sarah H. Walter

210 Burns Street

210 Burns Street — 200 Block of Burns Street — Occupants
Year ↕ Name ↕
1929Albert Gelser
1938Adolf Lemm Jr.
1947Willard H. Hatcher

211 Burns Street

211 Burns Street — 200 Block of Burns Street — Occupants
Year ↕ Name ↕
1947Harry C. Emore

212 Burns Street

212 Burns Street — 200 Block of Burns Street — Occupants
Year ↕ Name ↕
1947Mrs. Margaret M. DeHart

213 Burns Street

213 Burns Street — 200 Block of Burns Street — Occupants
Year ↕ Name ↕
1930Maude MacIntosh
1933Leo O'Brien — jailed 30 days
1933Leo O'Brien
1947William Hilbmann Jr.

214 Burns Street

214 Burns Street — 200 Block of Burns Street — Occupants
Year ↕ Name ↕
1915Julius Narshinski — heat exhaustion
1929Horace H. Dolson
1947Edwin L. Sutton

215 Burns Street

215 Burns Street — 200 Block of Burns Street — Occupants
Year ↕ Name ↕
1947George E. Hillary — trucking
1947George E. Hillary

216 Burns Street

216 Burns Street — 200 Block of Burns Street — Occupants
Year ↕ Name ↕
1947Mrs. Annie Mallen

217 Burns Street

217 Burns Street — 200 Block of Burns Street — Occupants
Year ↕ Name ↕
1929Walter Reighn
1947William T. Sweeten

218 Burns Street

218 Burns Street — 200 Block of Burns Street — Occupants
Year ↕ Name ↕
1929Abraham Feldstein
1933Harry & Margaret Dounch
1938John Cool Jr. — hospital case
1947Frederick A. Sevick

219 Burns Street

219 Burns Street — 200 Block of Burns Street — Occupants
Year ↕ Name ↕
1947Clifford Stevens
1965For sale, asking $1,500
1965 For Sale, Asking $1500

220 Burns Street

220 Burns Street — 200 Block of Burns Street — Occupants
Year ↕ Name ↕
1929Lansing Cowley
1947William H. Blank

221 Burns Street

221 Burns Street — 200 Block of Burns Street — Occupants
Year ↕ Name ↕
1938Adolph Lemm Jr.
1947Edward Sheppard

222 Burns Street

222 Burns Street — 200 Block of Burns Street — Occupants
Year ↕ Name ↕
1929Charles W. Rumbol
1947Thomas Edmondson

223 Burns Street

223 Burns Street — 200 Block of Burns Street — Occupants
Year ↕ Name ↕
1947John Tuminia

224 Burns Street

224 Burns Street — 200 Block of Burns Street — Occupants
Year ↕ Name ↕
1947Mrs. Victoria Johnson

225 Burns Street

225 Burns Street — 200 Block of Burns Street — Occupants
Year ↕ Name ↕
1900s–1910s John Winstanley & Family — Thomas Winstanley (son)
1947Louis A. Hambrose

226 Burns Street

226 Burns Street — 200 Block of Burns Street — Occupants
Year ↕ Name ↕
1929Mrs. Anna M. Powell
1947Mrs. Maude MacIntosh

227 Burns Street

227 Burns Street — 200 Block of Burns Street — Occupants
Year ↕ Name ↕
1929Mrs. Elizabeth Healey
1947John Barber

228 Burns Street

228 Burns Street — 200 Block of Burns Street — Occupants
Year ↕ Name ↕
1906Mrs. Sarah Tydeman
1906 Vincent A. Tydeman
1947Granville R. Guthridge

229 Burns Street

229 Burns Street — 200 Block of Burns Street — Occupants
Year ↕ Name ↕
1929John H. Purkey
1947Mrs. Eva Logan

230 Burns Street

230 Burns Street — 200 Block of Burns Street — Occupants
Year ↕ Name ↕
1947Mrs. Mary Reath
1947Mrs. Emma V. Emore
1969Mrs. Aloma Painter

231 Burns Street

231 Burns Street — 200 Block of Burns Street — Occupants
Year ↕ Name ↕
1947Michael J. Besso
1965For sale, asking $1,500
1965 For Sale, Asking $1500

232 Burns Street

232 Burns Street — 200 Block of Burns Street — Occupants
Year ↕ Name ↕
1929John M. Carley
1930s John Winstanley & Family — Thomas Winstanley (son)
1930sJohn Winstanley & Family
1947James W. Smith

233 Burns Street

233 Burns Street — 200 Block of Burns Street — Occupants
Year ↕ Name ↕
1947Elizabeth Condell

234 Burns Street

234 Burns Street — 200 Block of Burns Street — Occupants
Year ↕ Name ↕
1890–1891 John Schimpf
1947Mrs. Mary E. Johnson

235 Burns Street

235 Burns Street — 200 Block of Burns Street — Occupants
Year ↕ Name ↕
1947Lillie D. Carbaugh

236 Burns Street

236 Burns Street — 200 Block of Burns Street — Occupants
Year ↕ Name ↕
1929Sylvester Hampton
1947Harold M. Sheff

237 Burns Street

237 Burns Street — 200 Block of Burns Street — Occupants
Year ↕ Name ↕
1929John R. Koch
1947Michael M. Choma

238 Burns Street

238 Burns Street — 200 Block of Burns Street — Occupants
Year ↕ Name ↕
1897John Feerick — lead pipe larceny
1947Isaac Niemi

239 Burns Street

239 Burns Street — 200 Block of Burns Street — Occupants
Year ↕ Name ↕
1929Henry G. Murphy
1947Mrs. Pearl G. Moeller

240 Burns Street

240 Burns Street — 200 Block of Burns Street — Occupants
Year ↕ Name ↕
1929Mrs. Edith M. Stretch — confectionary
1929Ellis Stretch
1929Mrs. Edith M. Stretch
1947Mrs. Sarah Walter

241 Burns Street

241 Burns Street — 200 Block of Burns Street — Occupants
Year ↕ Name ↕
1928Mrs. Rosie Speller
1947Arthur W. Jeanes

242 Burns Street

242 Burns Street — 200 Block of Burns Street — Occupants
Year ↕ Name ↕
1947Richard Wagner
1969E. Fleming

243 Burns Street

243 Burns Street — 200 Block of Burns Street — Occupants
Year ↕ Name ↕
1929Charles W. Norris
1947Henry M. Urban

244 Burns Street

244 Burns Street — 200 Block of Burns Street — Occupants
Year ↕ Name ↕
1947No return

245 Burns Street

245 Burns Street — 200 Block of Burns Street — Occupants
Year ↕ Name ↕
1929Mrs. Gussie Hampton
1947No return

246 Burns Street

246 Burns Street — 200 Block of Burns Street — Occupants
Year ↕ Name ↕
1924 Earl Stopfer
1947Mrs. Mamie B. Grover

247 Burns Street

247 Burns Street — 200 Block of Burns Street — Occupants
Year ↕ Name ↕
1947No return

248 Burns Street

248 Burns Street — 200 Block of Burns Street — Occupants
Year ↕ Name ↕
1929Albert Vanderhaggen
1947Mrs. Adelaide Helfer

249 Burns Street

249 Burns Street — 200 Block of Burns Street — Occupants
Year ↕ Name ↕
1947Joseph T. Bond

250 Burns Street

250 Burns Street — 200 Block of Burns Street — Occupants
Year ↕ Name ↕
1929Mrs. Elizabeth Frew
1947Charles D. Phillips
1956Vacant, razed — owners B.H. Stow et ux, Marlton NJ

251 Burns Street

251 Burns Street — 200 Block of Burns Street — Occupants
Year ↕ Name ↕
1930Raymond Seth
1933William Bolopue — huckster
1933William Bolopue
1947Leonard C. Beecher

252 Burns Street

252 Burns Street — 200 Block of Burns Street — Occupants
Year ↕ Name ↕
1929William Lucy
1933Mrs. Mae Bard
1947Gone

253 Burns Street

253 Burns Street — 200 Block of Burns Street — Occupants
Year ↕ Name ↕
1924John Havlick (dead by 1930)
1933Mrs. Mary Havlick & Albert Weller & Family — Albert & Jessie Havlick Weller, Russell Weller, Doris Weller
1933Mrs. Mary Havlick
1933 Albert Weller & Family
—Albert Weller & Jessie Havlick Weller
1947Dan Hinkle

Related: Robert A. Allen · Frank Keeley · Jennie Worona · Gregory Worona · Adolf Lemm Jr. · Leo O’Brien · Julius Narshinski · Mrs. Harry Dounch · John Cool Jr. · John Feerick · 250 Burns · 253 Burns

Lead Pipe Larceny at 238 Burns Street

Philadelphia Inquirer —

Lead Pipe Larceny at 238 Burns Street - Philadelphia Inquirer, January 10, 1897

Charged with the larceny of lead pipe from an empty house, at 238 Burns street, John Ferick was held in bail yesterday by Mayor Westcott.

Camden at a Glance

Philadelphia Inquirer —

Camden at a Glance - Philadelphia Inquirer, June 19, 1915

Struck in the face with a brick thrown by another boy, Albert Sawmering, aged twelve years, of 406 Berkley street, is in the Homeopathic Hospital with a fracture of the skull and a broken nose.

Grapplers have not yet found the body of Landsman John J Smith, a member of the Camden Naval Reserves, who was drowned on Sunday last off Pennsville while on a cruise on the gunboat Vixen.

Suffering from heat exhaustion, Julius Narshinski, aged 40 years, of 214 Burns street, is under treatment at Cooper Hospital His condition is not serious.

On a charge of misbehaving themselves, Neil Rhoades and Emma Wells were yesterday committed to the county jail by Justice Hurett, complaint being made by Constable Headley.

Burned all over the body on June 7 by the bursting of a pipe containing nitric acid at the powder plant at Gibbstown, James Crawford, aged 56 years, of 310 Linden street, died yesterday at Cooper Hospital.

300 Block of Burns Street

300 Block of Burns Street — Occupants

337 Burns Street

337 Burns Street — 300 Block of Burns Street — Occupants
Year ↕ Name ↕
1938John Cool

Dog Led Way to Drowned Child

Philadelphia Inquirer —

Newspaper clipping: Dog Led Way to Drowned Child, Philadelphia Inquirer, November 11, 1901 Newspaper clipping: Dog Led Way to Drowned Child, Philadelphia Inquirer, November 11, 1901, continued

DOG LED WAY TO DROWNED CHILD

Four-Year-Old Boy Became Fastened in Mud at the Bottom of a Pond and Perished

The body of Henry May, Jr., the 4-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. Henry May, of 208 Burns street, Camden, was found in a pond at the head of North Second street yesterday by John Dyer, of 216 Burns street, and Policeman Isaac Toy. The boy disappeared from his home Saturday afternoon, and the local police and neighbors had been looking for him for many hours. When found the body was standing upright with the tips of the fingers appearing above the surface of the water. From the position of the body it is supposed the child was wading in the pond and suddenly going into deep water became fastened in the thick mud, the water covering and drowning young May.

A collie dog, a pet of the drowned boy, attracted the attention of Dyer by running back and forward from the pond to the house for several hours. Henry was his parents’ only son, and the father is suffering from nervous prostration, while the mother is distracted.

Frank Herman Keeley — World War I Draft Card

World War I draft registration card for Frank Herman Keeley of 206 Burns Street, Camden, September 12, 1918

Frank Herman Keeley, 206 Burns Street. Age 41, born December 25, 1876. Water Dept. employee, working at 26 Collings Ave., Collingswood, N.J. Registered September 12, 1918, Local Board for Division No. 1, City of Camden.

2 Camden Youths Held on Burglary Charges

Camden Courier-Post —

Newspaper clipping: 2 Camden Youths Held on Burglary Charges, Camden Courier-Post, November 8, 1929

2 CAMDEN YOUTHS HELD ON BURGLARY CHARGES

Two Camden youths were held today in $2500 bail each, on charges of breaking and entering, and possession of firearms.

Benjamin Shablack, 16, of 425 Pierce street, and Peter Norman, 1022 North Third street, were arraigned before Judge Pancoast on complaint of Robert A. Allen, 208 Burns street.

Allen charged that they entered his home last night, stole two revolvers and a set of tools. The boys admitted the break, police say.

Camden Man Stabbed, Assailant Is Caught

Camden Courier-Post —

Camden Man Stabbed, Assailant Is Caught - Camden Courier-Post, August 14, 1933

Stabbed during a quarrel last night, Jesse Brown, 27, colored, of 304 Taylor avenue, is in a serious condition in Cooper Hospital suffering from cuts of the neck, left arm, forehead and face.

His alleged assailant, John Hobbs, 23, colored, of 1603 North Randolph street, Philadelphia, was arrested on Camden bridge a few minutes later.

Brown was cut outside his home and staggered into the First District police station. Bridge police were notified to seek his assailant. A moment before Jennie Worona of 208 Burns street had told bridge police a man had thrown a knife away on the Fifth street pedestrian underpass. Hobbs was arrested on the bridge by Bridge Policemen John Curry and Thomas Keely.

Gregory Worona — World War II Draft Card

1942

World War II draft registration card for Gregory Worona of 208 Burns Street, Camden, 1942

Gregory Worona, 208 Burns Street, Camden. Born February 16, 1885, Poland. Employer: J.R. Evans, 2nd & Erie St., Camden, N.J. Serial No. 0971.

One of Two Prisoners Admits Robbing Store

Camden Courier-Post —

Carl Barker, 40, who gave the Wiley Mission as his address, and Adolf Lemm, Jr., of 211 Burns street, a former courthouse janitor, were arraigned before Judge Baldwin yesterday on a charge of breaking and entering and theft.

They are accused of entering the paint store of Isadore Soltz, at 510 Federal street, New Year’s Day and stealing a quantity of paint brushes. Barker admitted serving three terms in jail and told how he and Lemm entered the store, placed the brushes in a cellar and came back for them later. Lemm denied Barker’s story and said he had nothing to do with the robbery. The case was continued until tomorrow.

One of Pair in Theft Sent to State Prison

Camden Courier-Post —

One man was sentenced to state prison for 1½ to four years on a larceny charge by Judge Clifford A. Baldwin in Special Sessions Court yesterday, and another man was committed for 60 days to the county jail.

The prison sentence was imposed on Carl Barker, of 339 Erie street, who, with Adolph Lemm, Jr., of 221 Burns street, was charged with the larceny of paint worth $371 from a store at 510 Federal street on January 1. Lemm pleaded not guilty. Barker pleaded not guilty.

Leo O’Brien Jailed 30 Days

Camden Courier-Post —

Leo O’Brien, 30, of 213 Burns street, according to Detectives Walter Smith and John Trout, refused to stay put when taken home three times so they put him behind the bars Tuesday night to await a hearing. The detectives said they found him creating a disturbance near his home and each time they took him home he would reappear to make more noise.

“Where was this party where they served such awful liquor?” Judge Pancoast wanted to know. O’Brien couldn’t remember. So Judge Pancoast said: “Well, perhaps you will be able to remember during the next 30 days while you are staying put in the county jail.”

Camden Woman Dies on Way to See Sister

Camden Courier-Post —

Burlington, June 15.—A Camden woman, who was on her way to visit a sister here tonight, died in the home of Mr. and Mrs. Albert Vernon, 6 Delaware Avenue, who befriended her when she was stricken.

The woman was Mrs. Harry Dounch of 218 Burns Street, Camden. She was on her way to visit Mrs. Edward White of St. Mary’s Street.

Hospital Cases

Camden Courier-Post —

Hospital Cases - Camden Courier-Post, February 26, 1938

COOPER

John Passarella, 7, of 433 Spruce street, lacerated scalp.

Peter Chiodi, 14, of 337 Spruce street, lacerated hand.

John Cool, Jr., 7, of 218 Burns street, lacerated thumb.

Michael Bottalico, 19, of 816 South Fifth street, lacerated hand.

Kenneth Bell, 40, of 754 Wright avenue, lacerated upper lip.

Irving Yerks, 9, of 1134 Baring street, lacerated thumb.

Theresa Joyce, 61, of 507 Haddon avenue, possible fractured hand.

William Malloney, 15, of 709 Morgan street, possible fractured nose

Leonard Schaffer, 10, of 119 Dudley street, fractured wrist.

Florence Melari, 60, of 808 Princeton avenue, dog bite.

Theresa Tenovese, 7 months, of 221 Railroad avenue, Glassboro, burn, hand.

Marie Cahill, 5, of 2168 Berwick street, brush burns, hand.

Howard Cannon, 30, of 751 Cherry street, nail wound, foot.

Catherine Wolfer, 14, of Lindenwold, injured ankle.

Alex Maloney, 29, of 425 South Fifth street, injured shoulder.

WEST JERSEY

James Brady, 7, of 1580 Minnesota road, lacerated wrist.

Betty Antonow, 6, of 1038 street, puncture wound, foot.

J. E. Walker, 46, of 222 Washington terrace, Audubon, near amputation, tip of finger.

Arthur Davis, 10, of Nicholson road, West Collingswood, lacerated scalp.

Ed Cachell, 35, of 612 Robert street, lacerated finger.

Dolores Pfeffer, 7, of 548 Haddon avenue, Collingswood, abrasions of thigh; communuted [sic] fracture of ankle.

Ida Devlin, 40, of 1337 Morton street, contusion, wrist and possible fractured arm.

Harry & Jennie Emore — 211 Burns Street

Harry and Jennie Emore of 211 Burns Street

Harry & Jennie Emore, 211 Burns Street.

Emma V. Emore — 230 Burns Street

Emma V. Emore of 230 Burns Street

Emma V. Emore, 230 Burns Street.

Order Razing Of 6 Buildings As Fire Hazard

Camden Courier-Post —

Order Razing Of 6 Buildings As Fire Hazard - Camden Courier-Post, April 26, 1956

Six Camden properties, described as unfit for human habitation and fire hazards, were ordered razed Wednesday by Edwin Segal, city legal assistant in charge of the condemnation bureau.

The houses are located at 523 Newton ave., 1036 Segal st., 1127 Carpenter st., 250 Burns st. and 620-22 Kaighns ave.

All six properties were declared in dilapidated condition and hazards to children and pedestrians by George LaMarra, inspector in the building bureau.

The Newton ave. building, a two-story brick and frame semi-detached house, is a haven for playing children, according to several nearby residents, who appeared at the hearing. The residents were Mrs. Olga Anton, of 722 Clinton st.; Edward Bender, of 733 Clinton st., and Mrs. Emilie Griffin, of 527 Newton ave.

Segal said he had received a petition signed by 42 residents in the area, urging the property be razed.

Mrs. Mamie Pinsky, of 1212 S. 3rd st., owner of the property, informed Segal she would have the structure demolished.

Owners of the other properties who failed to appear at the scheduled hearing were Louis B. Humphreys Jr., real estate, 3rd and Market sts., for 1036 Segal st.; Edward Gordon et ux, care of Rheba Obus, of 101 N. 7th st., for 1127 Carpenter st.; B. H. Stow et ux, of Marlton, for 250 Burns st., and John W. and Miss Otelia Cromwell, of Washington, represented by Louis M. Huston, of Burr-Smith Co., 13 Haddon ave., for 620-22 Kaighns ave.

Twins, Baby Sister Saved From Fire

Camden Courier-Post —

Mrs. Mary Havlick with Weller twins Russell and Albert Jr. and baby Doris, after the Burns Street fire, June 1933

TWINS, BABY SISTER SAVED FROM FIRE

Father and Great Grandmother Carry Children from Blazing Shed

Twin brothers, 5, and their sister, 9 months, were rescued yesterday from their North Camden home by their father, and great-grandmother from a fire caused by the upsetting of a flaming bucket of gasoline into which a lighted match had been thrown.

The blaze, in a rear shed of the home of Mrs. Mary Havlick, 74, of 253 Burns Street, great-grandmother of the children, also ignited the adjoining dwelling of William Bolopue, a huckster, at 251 Burns Street. The Bolopue family was not at home. The fire occurred shortly after 11 a. m.

Albert Weller, the father of the children and grandson of Mrs. Havlick, told firemen that the fire started after he had carelessly tossed a lighted match into a pail of gasoline which he had drained from his automobile in the rear of the house.

When Weller tried to extinguish the blaze in the pail, he told firemen, he stumbled over and upset it. The flames caught afire the shed at the rear of the house.

Slamming shut the shed door to cut off the draft, Weller seized his twin boys, Russell and Albert, Jr., Mrs. Havlick snatched the baby, Doris, from a high chair. The grandmother and her grandson took the children to the home of a neighbor, Mrs. Mae Bard, 252 Burns Street.

Meanwhile, someone had sent in a fire alarm, and firemen arrived in time to put out the fire in both houses before much damage resulted. During the blaze, Mrs. Jessie Weller, mother of the children, was visiting the headquarters of the Emergency Relief Administration to apply for more food for her babies.

The Death of Milton Street — The Poet’s Row Fire

Byron, Burns, & Milton Streets East of North 2nd Street

Fire in Poet's Row, North Camden, August 1972 — the former John R. Evans Co. leather factory at North 2nd and Erie Streets

Fire started in the former John R. Evans Co. leather factory, a block long factory building at North 2nd and Erie Streets in North Camden on a hot summer night, August 23, 1972. Inadequate water pressure, combined with a stiff breeze from the south indicated that there was trouble ahead. The first responding Fire Company, Engine Company 6, sounded the Second Alarm upon arrival.

Poet's Row fire, 1972 — houses on the North 2nd Street end already ablaze, seen from North 3rd Street

This photograph, taken from the 3rd Street end of Milton Street, shows the houses on the 2nd Street end already ablaze.

Poet's Row fire, 1972 — pandemonium as residents evacuate

Pandemonium in Poets Row as residents attempt to hurriedly evacuate homes of furnishings as the conflagration took off. High winds and flying embers, combined with the intense radiant heat created fire storm conditions. The Fire Companies arriving on the scene in response to the Greater Alarms entered the Poets Row streets to find everything burning—buildings, trees, fences, parked cars, and telephone poles. Live electrical wires were down and arcing everywhere.

Poet's Row fire, 1972 — Engine Company 3 on the 200 block of Burns Street

The 200 Block of Burns Street, as seen from North 3rd Street. Engine Company 3 doing everything it could with its deck pipe and hand-held hose to cut off the rapidly spreading fire. In the early stages of the fire Engine Companies often found themselves alone on an entire block, desperately trying to make a stand while awaiting reinforcements. Several units, driven back by the intense fire, would disconnect from the fire hydrants, fall back to the next hydrant further down the street, only to be driven back once again as the fire continued to spread. Engine Company 3 operated by itself for nearly one half-hour until assisted by a subsequent mutual aid fire company.

Poet's Row fire ruins, 1972 Poet's Row fire ruins, 1972, additional view

Ruins of original fire building and surrounding neighborhood at Poets Row, North Camden, in the aftermath of the worst conflagration in the history of the Camden Fire Department.

Looking east on the 200 block of Burns Street the day after the Poet's Row fire, 1972

Looking East on the 200 block of Burns Street on the day after the fire.

Engine Company 3 in the devastation of Poet's Row, 1972

Engine Company 3 stands in stark contrast with the devastation surrounding an area of four square city blocks. Ten alarms with aid from fire departments outside of Camden and over two hundred firefighters worked for eight hours before bringing the fire under control. Forty-two homes and the original John R. Evans factory building, where the fire started, completely collapsed, and an additional thirty houses were severely damaged. Hundreds of Poets Row residents lost everything. Although there were scores of injuries to both firefighters and civilians, miraculously all were minor in nature.

Poet’s Row — The 200 Block of Byron Street

Looking east from North 2nd and Byron Street, July 5, 2004

Looking East from North 2nd & Byron Street.

214, 212, 210 Byron Street, July 5, 2004

214, 212, 210 Byron Street.

Remaining homes on the south side of the 200 block of Byron Street, July 5, 2004

Remaining homes on the South Side, 200 Block of Byron Street.

Looking west from North 3rd and Byron Street, July 5, 2004

Looking West from North 3rd & Byron Street.

Location

Advertisement

Comments

Advertisement