At 11:54 a.m. on June 6, Gloucester County NJ Fire Radio was receiving calls for a dwelling fire at 892 Fries Mill Road in the Franklinville section. There were reports of possible entrapment.
Companies from Franklinviile and Magaga were dispatched. First Assistant Fire Chief Gary Bendy, was about a mile and a half away an noticed a heavy column of smoke in the sky. He requested a second alarm.
Responding on the second alarm was the Clayton Fire Company as a fast team along with a tender from Janvier Fire Company. Chief Bendy was now arriving on location and reported that he had a one-story ranch type dwelling with heavy fire showing on division A, C, and D. with extensions through the roof.
The owner of the dwelling was able to flee the dwelling and he reported that his five dogs were still trapped in the blazing dwelling. Chief Bendy now requested the third alarm bringing tenders from Star Cross Fire Company, Forest Grove Fire Company, Cecil Fire Company, Willow Grove Fire Company and Monroeville Fire Company along with Station 22 from Salem County, and a Cascade System from Station 17, Paulsboro.
Firefighters were able to rescue two Greyhound dogs but they died on the scene along with three other dogs who were found in the building.
Various engines and tenders were now arriving on location, and firefighters were battling the blaze. They fought for over two hours the chief placed it under control.
The dwelling was heavily damaged and will most likely be demolished. The fire is under investigation by the Gloucester County Fire Marshal's Office.
