Report Slaps Jersey Department on Fire That Claimed Three Bravest

The lack of a Rapid Intervention Team, PASS devices, training and communication led to fire ground problems last July 4 at the New Jersey blaze where three firefighters died, according to a state report.

The New Jersey Department of Labor released a report Tuesday that concludes there were several problems with the fire ground operation of the July 4, 2002 fire at a Gloucester City duplex that killed three young sisters and the three firefighters. These problems are listed in a "Notice of Order to Comply" issued to the fire department by the Office of Public Employees Occupational Safety and Health.

Mount Ephraim Chief James Sylvester, Mount Ephraim Deputy Fire Chief John D. West and Gloucester City FD firefighter Thomas Stewart III were killed when the structure collapsed as they searched for the children.