A gas leak sparked a major fire in Camden last night, destroying an apartment building in the Cramer Hill section and leaving about a dozen people homeless.
The four-alarm blaze, which caused no injuries, broke out at the Stockton Station Apartments on North 30th Street about 7 p.m.
Resident Darrin Daniels was taking a nap when he awoke to firetruck sirens and people banging on doors. Officials warned him to get out immediately and told him not to turn on any lights.
He jumped in his car and drove a little distance before he stopped.
"I just kind of stood there on the corner, and there was one big explosion, a backdraft," Daniels said.
His building in the sprawling complex - Building N, with eight to 10 units, Daniels said - went up in flames that could be seen as far away as Admiral Wilson Boulevard.
The building's roof and one wall were completely gone. Several of the units had been vacant, fire officials said.
Camden Deputy Fire Chief Thomas Quinn said an exterior wall had collapsed, puncturing a gas line and prompting firefighters to evacuate residents. It was unclear last night what had caused the wall to collapse or the gas line to ignite.
"Everything I worked for is gone," Daniels said. "What's the next step? Where am I going to live?"
The only possessions that he expected were saved, Daniels said, are autographed Star Trek photographs he kept in a fireproof box. He had lived alone in the apartment since January.
"You see these kind of things on TV, but you never think it'll happen to you," Daniels said.
The fire, battled by 15 companies from Camden and adjacent towns, was declared under control about 9:30 p.m., fire officials said.
Quinn said Red Cross and city personnel would help residents find places to stay.
Surveying the scene, Quinn said he was satisfied that things had not turned out worse.
"The gas has been shut off, and we're in a mop-up," he said. "I'd say we're in pretty good shape."
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