At 1845, Upper Deerfield Volunteer Fire
Companies Station 33 & Station 32 and
Upper Deerfield Emergency Medical
Services Squad 34 were dispatched to
S. Burlington Rd for a "structure." One
minute later, Cumberland County Fire
Marshal 1 (FM1) arrived on location,
reporting garage fully involved with large
quantities of propane and other chemicals
inside. Engine 3301 arrived to find a
quonset-hut style structure, approximately
40'x100' fully involved w/ several small
explosions. Burlington Rd Command was
established by Captain Mike Dyer and
Station 29 (Deerfield Township -
Rosenhayn Volunteer Fire and Rescue)
was requested for a cascade assignment.
One 1 3/4" line was immediately put into
service through the melted garage door
at the front of the structure (A side).
Numerous cars and a great deal of auto
parts and equipment could be seen inside.
The fire was hot enough to make sections
of the corrugated steel structure translucent.
Engine 3202 arrived on location, laying in
5" supply line to 3301 and a 2 1/2" line was
then put into service, also at the A side.
Additional hand lines were stretched from
3202 as a second supply line was laid in
from Engine 3302. At 1856, a second alarm
was struck by command to re-dispatch
Station 33 for additional manpower and to
have additional EMS units brought to scene.
An aggressive exterior attack was made, but
was hampered by burning gasoline, paint,
and chemicals in the structure. Station 29
also provided several crews for the attack.
As additional personnel arrived, further
attack was made from the rear (B/C and
C/D) corners, which included small additions
to the building filled with auto parts and tires
that proved to be extremely difficult to
access and extinguish. During the blaze, a
very large explosion caused Command to
order all personnel away from the structure
for a short time. At 1943, Station 15
(Fairfield Township - Gouldtown Fire
Department) was requested for manpower
to relieve exhausted crews that were still
battling the stubborn blaze. Station 21
(Hopewell-Stow Creek Fire Department) was requested at 2004 for even further
manpower. In all, it took five stations over 2 1/2 hours to bring the fire under control. Upper
Deerfield firefighters remained on scene throughout the night and into Thursday to guard
against a rekindle. The structure was used by a local man to restore and maintain classic
cars. Eight cars, five of which belonged to the owner, valued at around $500,000 were lost.
The building's electric was shut off for the night and there were no heaters operating at the
time the blaze began. It is unclear as to the cause of the fire but investigators from the
Upper Deerfield Township Bureau of Fire Prevention, the New Jersey State Division of Fire
Safety, and the New Jersey State Police Arson Unit are expected to do a full investigation
in the coming days. No foul play is currently suspected. Upper Deerfield's Station 31 was
placed on stand-by to cover all three fire districts in the township during the incident. Upper
Deerfield EMS provided firefighter rehabilitation and monitored vital signs. One firefighter
was treated by Underwood Memorial Hospital-MICU Life Support 7 for an asthma attack
and released. Cumberland County Fire Police, Cumberland County Department of Public
Works, Atlantic City Electric Company and the Salvation Army's SA3 assisted on scene.
Companies Station 33 & Station 32 and
Upper Deerfield Emergency Medical
Services Squad 34 were dispatched to
S. Burlington Rd for a "structure." One
minute later, Cumberland County Fire
Marshal 1 (FM1) arrived on location,
reporting garage fully involved with large
quantities of propane and other chemicals
inside. Engine 3301 arrived to find a
quonset-hut style structure, approximately
40'x100' fully involved w/ several small
explosions. Burlington Rd Command was
established by Captain Mike Dyer and
Station 29 (Deerfield Township -
Rosenhayn Volunteer Fire and Rescue)
was requested for a cascade assignment.
One 1 3/4" line was immediately put into
service through the melted garage door
at the front of the structure (A side).
Numerous cars and a great deal of auto
parts and equipment could be seen inside.
The fire was hot enough to make sections
of the corrugated steel structure translucent.
Engine 3202 arrived on location, laying in
5" supply line to 3301 and a 2 1/2" line was
then put into service, also at the A side.
Additional hand lines were stretched from
3202 as a second supply line was laid in
from Engine 3302. At 1856, a second alarm
was struck by command to re-dispatch
Station 33 for additional manpower and to
have additional EMS units brought to scene.
An aggressive exterior attack was made, but
was hampered by burning gasoline, paint,
and chemicals in the structure. Station 29
also provided several crews for the attack.
As additional personnel arrived, further
attack was made from the rear (B/C and
C/D) corners, which included small additions
to the building filled with auto parts and tires
that proved to be extremely difficult to
access and extinguish. During the blaze, a
very large explosion caused Command to
order all personnel away from the structure
for a short time. At 1943, Station 15
(Fairfield Township - Gouldtown Fire
Department) was requested for manpower
to relieve exhausted crews that were still
battling the stubborn blaze. Station 21
(Hopewell-Stow Creek Fire Department) was requested at 2004 for even further
manpower. In all, it took five stations over 2 1/2 hours to bring the fire under control. Upper
Deerfield firefighters remained on scene throughout the night and into Thursday to guard
against a rekindle. The structure was used by a local man to restore and maintain classic
cars. Eight cars, five of which belonged to the owner, valued at around $500,000 were lost.
The building's electric was shut off for the night and there were no heaters operating at the
time the blaze began. It is unclear as to the cause of the fire but investigators from the
Upper Deerfield Township Bureau of Fire Prevention, the New Jersey State Division of Fire
Safety, and the New Jersey State Police Arson Unit are expected to do a full investigation
in the coming days. No foul play is currently suspected. Upper Deerfield's Station 31 was
placed on stand-by to cover all three fire districts in the township during the incident. Upper
Deerfield EMS provided firefighter rehabilitation and monitored vital signs. One firefighter
was treated by Underwood Memorial Hospital-MICU Life Support 7 for an asthma attack
and released. Cumberland County Fire Police, Cumberland County Department of Public
Works, Atlantic City Electric Company and the Salvation Army's SA3 assisted on scene.
Photos scanned (poorly) from The Bridgeton News.
Photos by News photographer Bryan Littel.
Photos by News photographer Bryan Littel.
| 12-06-06 1845 hours Structure Fire S. Burlington Rd |