New Jersey – At 11:54 a.m. on June 6, 2007 Gloucester County NJ Fire Radio was receiving calls for a dwelling fire at 892 Fries Mill Road in the Franklinville section, with reports of possible entrapment. Companies from Franklinville and Magaga were dispatched.
First Assistant Fire Chief Gary Bendy, of the Franklinville Fire Company was about a mile and a half away and noticed a heavy column of smoke in the sky. He requested Fire Radio to fill out the box, which is an automatic second alarm, due to the lack of fire hydrants in the area.
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.
Franklinville\’s Engine 43-11 was now arriving on the scene as 11:57 a.m. They were instructed to lead off with a 2 1/2 inch hose line on the D side of the building, due to the exposures. An additional 1 3/4 inch line was also placed In Service.
Fire fighters were able to rescue two greyhound dogs but they died on the scene along with three other dogs that died in the building. Various Engines and Tenders were now arriving on location leading off with numerous hand lines.
The blaze was fought for over two hours before being placed 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 according to Fire Marshal William Rieger.
Written and photos by Bob Bartosz Firefighter News
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