New Jersey Chief Rescues Man from Blaze

Nov. 12, 2007
Structure had heavy fire and smoke showing

A fast-moving fire on Oct. 29 left a home in National Park, N.J. heavily damaged.

Shortly after 4 p.m., firefighters from National Park, Woodbury and Westville Fire Companies were dispatched to a dwelling fire in a duplex.

National Park Fire Chief Mark Gismondi was first on location and reported that he had heavy fire and smoke showing from an attached duplex dwelling. He reported that a teenage girl had escaped from the dwelling and neighbors said that there was a handicapped man living in the other duplex dwelling.

Chief Gismondi and National Park police officer assisted the wheelchair-bound occupant from the smoke-filled dwelling.

The first arriving units went into service with a pair of 1 4/3 inch lines as the Westville Fire Department's Ladder personal went to the roof to ventilate. An Aal hands working box was dispatched bringing extra EMS units along with a Fast Team from the Bellmawr Fire Dept. in Camden County.

Firefighters had the fire knocked down and prevented it from spreading to the other duplex that had smoke damage.

The EMS evaluated the wheelchair handicapped man and found him to be alright. Chief Gismondi placed the fire under control. Firefighters remained on the scene, overhauling and assisting the Gloucester County Fire Marshal's Office with their investigation.

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