| At 0444 hours Task Force 15-3 (Station 15-1, Squad 16, BLS 1557) was dispatched to 931 White Horse Pike at the Newton Diner for a building fire. A local Police Officer was on patrol and saw fire coming from the roof.
Squirt 15-1 responded under the command of Captain John Young as well as Squad Company 16. All incoming companies were advised that Police were reporting a working fire. Squad Company 16 arrived on location to find a one story diner with smoke and fire visible on the roof and stretched off with one 1 ¾" handline.
Chief John Medes arrived on location and was advised that Squad Company 16 found heavy fire conditions in the rear of the diner. Chief Medes then transmitted the "All-Hands" signal bringing Quint 1-1(Audubon) as the FAST Company, an additional BLS unit and a Cascade. Squirt 15-1 arrived and stretched one 1 ¾" handline through the front to assist Squad 16.
Ladder 15-1 then responded under the command of Captain Bill Tessing, 3rd and upon arrival placed ground ladders on Division "A" and started opening up then went to the roof to start ventilation. Engine 1513 responded under the command of Captain Frank Jackson 5th and upon arrival established a water supply for Squad 16 by laying out 500 feet to the hydrant at East Park and Johnson Avenue.
Interior crews reported heavy fire on the interior and deteriorating conditions and all crew were ordered out of the building and off the roof. Chief John Medes transmitted the 2nd Alarm. Squirt 15-1 established its own water supply from the White Horse Pike. Quint 1-1 arrived on location and set up on the B/C corner of the building to ladder the rear.
Squad 45 was then dispatched for the additional FAST Company. Ladder 16 (Collingswood), Quint 91 (Barrington), Rescue 32 (Bellmawr) and Engine 1522 (West Collingswood Heights) responded on the 2nd Alarm. Ladder 16 arrived and set up on Division "B" and Quint 91 set up on Division "D" and both placed their main ladders in the air. Engine 1522 arrived and established a secondary water supply.
Rescue 32 reported to Division "C" for additional manpower. Rehab 13 arrived on location and set up on the White Horse Pike. Ladder 15-1 then used the main aerial device as fire was coming through the roof. Companies used four 2 ½" handlines and two 1 ¾" along with the ladder pipe as fire was rapidly spreading throughout the entire building.
Engine 211 (Haddon Heights) was en route to the cover assignment and was brought in as an additional Engine Company. All Companies operated with multiple handlines and master streams and at 0714 the fire was placed under control. Companies started to pick up and Squirt 15-1 and Ladder 15-1 remained on location assisting the County FM and hitting hot spots until 1919 hours.
The fire is under investigation by the Camden County and Haddon Township Fire Marshal's Office. |
