Pennsauken Twp., Camden County N.J. - Sunday November 26, 2006 at approx 1420 Hrs Pennsauken Firefighters from running as Taskforce 11-2. Station's 2, 4, Squad Co. 11-1, Rescue 11-3, Engine 1191, and EMS were notified of a reported building fire at 6221 Westfield Avenue at the Village Laundromat.
Companies responded and were advised by the Camden Co. Communications Center that they were receiving numerous calls of a working fire with workers still possibly trapped on the roof. Engine 1191 arrived on Side One to find a 1 story strip store complex with heavy smoke from the roof with workers around the rear descending from a ladder.
Command 11201 arrived and confirmed the report and advised all companies to go into operation upon arrival. Snorkel 11-2 arrived and laddered the building with their main and assisted the crews on the roof with ventilation. It was reported that the roofing material ignited causing the fire.
Command also reported he was putting his RIT (Rescue 11-3) into operation and wanted another RIT dispatched. This brought Tower Ladder 3 from Camden City along with Battalion 2 as well. Command also requested the services of Squad 11-5 while enroute to the cover at Station 2 to be directed into the fire and to take a position at Side Three and go into operation with hoselines. Command also requests an additional Truck Co., which brought Quint 11-6 to the scene.
Firefighter made an aggressive interior and exterior attack with multiple 1 3/4" handlines, and had crews on the roof which were able to bring the fire under control within 45 mins. One minor smoke inhalation to a store owner was reported, but they did not require medical attention. Camden Co. Fire Marshall and Pennsauken Local Fire Marshall were on location investigating the cause of the fire.
