HAZMAT at Supermarket
On September 4th just after 0900 hrs. , S31, E22
& L44 were dispatched to the address listed for a “Fire Alarm Activation”
in a Supermarket. S31 arrived and reported a smoke condition in the rear from
the basement area. Upon further investigation it was determined that it was not
smoke but a vapor cloud from a large Freon leak. Hazmat 13 was requested to
respond along with the County Health Department. Hazmat Specialists entered the
basement and were able to secure the leak. A special call for MVU-1 was placed
to assist in venting the vapor cloud from the basement.
Lighting Strike Causes Office Building Fire
On September 4th just after 1400 hrs TL-24 was
dispatched to 1114 Wynwood Ave for the fire alarm. On arrival it was reported
by building occupants, that the building was struck by lighting and they had a
smoke condition. While isolating the issue in this building, an adjacent
building owner reported he also had smoke in his unit. TL24’s crew investigated
this building and found an electrical issue due to the lighting strike. While
completing the investigation in these two building TL-24’s crew heard the “Waterflow
Alarm” sounding in a vacant building at 1200 Haddonfield Rd. When they
investigated this alarm they found a smoke condition in the 2 story building
with the sprinkler system activated. TL-24’s crew requested a Box Assignment be
transmitted and they attempted to find the source of the smoke. They found a
fire in the Electrical Room being contained by the sprinkler system. The
assignment was handled with 2 engines and 1 ladder. The area could not be
completely overhauled until PSEG arrived due to the fire involving the
electrical service for the building.
Serious Motor Vehicle Accident with Ejection
On September 13th R13, Sq13, 1393 & 96, Medic
44 & 35, and B13 were dispatched to Rt 295 @ 33.6 mm for a MVA/Rescue
Assignment. On arrival R13’s officer found a 2 car MVA with 1 ejected and 1
unconscious. They were not trapped, so crews assisted EMS with packaging the
patients. Both patients were transported by CHFD EMS and Medics to Cooper
Trauma Center.
Barn Fire
On September 15th a Structural Box Assignment was
dispatched for the area of “Kresson Rd & Heartwood Dr.” for a reported barn
fire. SQ13 arrived at 1001 Kresson Rd with a detached garage 20’ x 40’ with
fire showing from Division A. Crews placed 2 handlines and a Blitzfire line in
operation to extinguish the fire. The garage had a large amount of contents and
debris in it which caused an extended overhaul operation. While crews were
fighting the fire other members were busy trying to secure a horse and dogs
that were running loose in the area of the fire. We used 3 engines and 2 ladders
to extinguish the fire. It was placed under control at the 25 minute mark.
3-Alarm Dwelling Fire
Lastly, on September 17th at 1721 hrs. crews were
dispatched to a reported “Dwelling Fire” in the area of Garden Park Blvd and
Preakness Dr. The Cherry Hill Fire Department was dispatched to the area of
Garden Park Blvd and Preakness Ct. for a report of a dwelling fire. CHFD
responded with three engines, one ladder, one battalion chief and an ambulance.
While crews were en route County fire radio reported that they were receiving
numerous calls for a dwelling "fully Involved" and the possibility of
people trapped. Ladder 1324 was the first to arrive and reported a middle of
the row condo unit fully involved and requested a second alarm be dispatched.
Battalion 13 arrived two minutes later and had heavy fire conditions from the
first and second floors as well as the attic of the primary dwelling. Fire was
extending left and right into the exposure dwellings. Battalion 13 requested
the third alarm. S51 set-up on the A/D corner and placed their Blitzfire
monitor and Squirt in-service. Squirt 51's officer operated as the Division D
sector officer. L24 was given Sector B exposures to check for fire extension
and occupants. E22 & E32 established additional supply lines from separate
hydrants. E22 & 32 deployed two Blitzfire monitors in Division A and a hand
line to support operations in Division B. E32 also supplied L24 with water for
their ladder pipe in Division B/C. Capt. Callan was assigned as the Division C
sector officer. SQ13 establish a water supply in Division C and deployed a
Blitzfire monitor, they also supplied L44's ladder pipe in Division A/B. E1191
& Ladder 16 worked in Division D exposure ensuring no fire spread. E3621
was assigned the RIC function on the fireground. Battalion 13 assumed Division A sector
officer. DC Giorgio assumed command. FM Shemeley was assigned as the Water
Supply Officer. We continued this operation until all visible fire was knocked
down. After the majority of the fire was darkened, we switched to working hand
lines from Division A and C. Ladder 44 was repositioned to the front of the
dwelling (1518) and the ladder pipe was used to overhaul 1516 & 1518 due to
poor structural conditions. The origin of the fire is the mulch to the rear of
unit 1518 per Chief Fire Marshal Shemeley.
Photos courtesy of John Axford
