On Saturday, May 19, crews from the Winslow Township Fire Department were dispatched to a building fire.
Firefighters arrived on the scene a little after 10 p.m. to find the blaze was heavily involved. A second alarm was sounded, and it was requested that Atlantic County send two additional tankers and a second ladder. Command established a drafting site at a nearby lake.
Soon, command requested that all companies operate in defensive operations only. By 10:15, command requested two aerial devices in operation on Division A and an engine company operating a handline in the rear.
By 10:35, command directed all companies away from the rear of the building to establish a collapse zone. Additionally, a request was made to Gloucester County for additional tankers to join the tanker task force. Gloucester County confirmed 10 tankers, three engines, and the fire coordinator were dispatched.
By 11:44, additional alarms were requested, adding three additional engines on each alarm.
Crews battled the blaze in defensive operations for nearly two hours before command declared the fire under control at 11:49 p.m.
The building was vacant at the time of the blaze. Firefighters from Camden, Burlington County, Gloucester and Atlantic counties were called to battle the blaze.
The fire consumed the entire building. Hazmat units were called to the scene due to explosions.
The fire is under investigation by the Camden County Fire Marshals Office and Winslow Township Fire Department.
