4.11.09 CHFD Honors Local Fallen Soldier and Recognizes 9/11.

Several Cherry Hill Firefighters and residents spent a cold, wet spring morning honoring a local fallen soldier, recognizing September 11th, and planting a couple cherry trees along Chapel Avenue on Saturday, April 11, 2009.

As he has done for several years, Cherry Hill resident, Joe Zanghi, coordinated this event, the “8th Annual Cherry Hill 9/11 Remembrance and Patriotic Gratitude”, as part of his yearly effort to maintain the cherry trees along Chapel Avenue. Zanghi, along with volunteers from the American Legion Post 372, adorned the two mile stretch of Chapel Avenue with several hundred American flags and several yellow ribbons. About 15 Cherry Hill Firefighters arrived and helped the group plant two cherry trees in front of Kennedy Memorial Hospital.

Family members of Army Captain Gregory T. Dalessio, killed during combat operations in Iraq on June 23rd, 2008, and several residents joined them for a brief ceremony. Asked to speak on behalf of the groups, former NJ State Assemblyman, Dr. John A. Rocco called attention to the service of Captain Dalessio, and all military serving our country; and those victims and families affected on September 11th.

4.9.09 Stubborn Smoky Fire Heavily Damages Landmark Hardware Store

At just around 8:20 PM on April 9, 2009, Cherry Hill Firefighters responded to a reported fire alarm activation at the strip mall located at 2099 Route 70 East. As the Battalion Chief arrived, he reported a heavy smoke condition from the front of the store and immediately ordered additional resources to the scene. First arriving crews on scene established a water supply and took positions in the front and the rear of the building.

Firefighters forced entry into the hardware store and encountered a well advanced fire and heavy smoke. Multiple hose lines were used to fight the large volume of fire within the hardware store. Additionally crews on the roof used power saws to open ventilation points to relieve the heavy smoke and heat in an effort to better conditions for firefighters working below.

A 2nd Alarm was ordered to bring additional firefighters and equipment to the scene. In all, about 40 firefighters managed to place this fire under control in just over an hour. There was extensive damage to the hardware store and heavy smoke damage to a total of four stores. There were no injuries to civilians. One Cherry Hill Firefighter was taken to be evaluated at Virtua Hospital in Voorhees with non life threatening injuries. This fire is currently under investigation by the Cherry Hill and Camden County Fire Marshal Offices and Cherry Hill Police.