Archive News Articles

February 17- Around 22:30hrs, West Deptford Twp. Fire Companies were dispatched to the area of Rt. 45 and Parkville Station Rd. at the Old Taco Bell for a reported building fire. Numerous callers reported heavy smoke coming from the old Taco Bell. 6101, P. Zimm arrived first and confirmed heavy smoke, and a working fire, placing the all hands. Ladder 666 was first on scene and ordered to ladder the roof, to the seat of the fire. Second due crews reported no fire on the interior, crews held the fire to the roof area. 614 arrived and was ordered to the interior to secure the utility's, and check for any extension. The fire was placed under control and roof crews went into overhaul. The fire is being investigated by the County Fire Marshall's Office.

December 27- At around 15:00, Gloucester County 9-1-1 received a call reporting smoke coming from the second floor apartment above Wally's Cold Cuts, in Paulsboro, it was also unknown if the elderly man who resided in the apartment was home or not. 1700 arrived first on scene with a light smoke condition coming from the second floor and was preparing to enter to attempt to check if the elderly male was home. 1721 and 1711 arrived first and made a quick knock of the fire, 614 arrived next to start a secondary search with the primary coming up negative, which was later discovered that the male was not home, 614 also started natural ventilation. The fire is still under investigation.

December 19- District 17(Paulsboro), Station 6-1(Thorofare), District 19 (East Greenwich), and Station 21-1 (Gibbstown), were all called to 120 W. Jessup St., in Paulsboro for a reported house fire. 1702 was the first arriving officer confirming a working fire, with heavy fire Division A of a one story duplex. 1721 was first engine to arrive, and was ordered to place a hand line in service through Division A. 614 was the second due engine ordered to take a hydrant at S. Delaware and Gill St.'s, sending manpower forward. 614's crew made an entry through Division C. All residents had been accounted for, placing 614's crew into an overhaul mode. Crews made an quick knock of the fire. At this time the fire is being investigated by Paulsboro's Fire Marshall's Office and Gloucester County Fire Marshall's Office, being ruled suspicious.

November 06- Just before 9:30, as Thorofare Volunteer was letting out for the monthly meeting, Gloucester County 9-1-1 dispatched Station 6-1 to the old day farm on Jessup Rd., for a report of possible brush fire. With fires there in the past, the station was well aware of the location and the best access off Myrtle Ave., Prior to departing headquarters, 6101, Chief Phil Zimm noticed a decent size header coming from the area. Due to the size of the header and the status of weather conditions, the brush fire was upgraded to a possible structure fire, adding the rest of the West Deptford Twp. 6101 also special requested 3 tenders from within the county, who were later recalled because a decent water supply was located on Juniper Ct. 6101 arrived first and confirmed a 25 by 50 barn, well involved and no longer standing. 612 arrived first and was ordered to place 2 1 3/4 hand lines in service while 614, 617 and 663 were assigned to supply water from Juniper Ct. across the farm field to 612, who also supplied 627. Crews made quick attack of the fire, all additional manpower was requested to start a minor overhaul, so crews could access the basement. Crews remained on location for just over an hour, the fire is being investigated by the West Deptford Fire Marshall's office and the West Deptford Police.

October 20- At around 5:15pm., the Gloucester County Telecommunication Center received numerous 911 calls about a fire in West Deptford Twp., in Thorofare, in the area of Laurel Ave. & Lecato Ave. District six was dispatched seconds later, and moments after that West Deptford PD, confirmed a working fire, calling the county to strike the automatic all hands. 6102 & 6601 arrived first and confirmed a well involved one story single family dwelling, heavy fire in the attic and rear of the house. 614 arrived first and was order to take the hydrant in front of the residence, and enter the residence with one hand line. Crews were shortly backed out because of the threat of a ceiling collapse. 626 and 666 were put into service to knock down the remaining fire. The fire was placed under control just before 6:00pm. There were no injuries reported, one dog was saved from the residence. The West Deptford Fire Marshall's Office is investigating.

August 5- West Deptford Police Department requested the assistance of all four of the townships fire companies to assist  with National Night Out 2008. National Night Out is a night put aside by local police departments to promote crime and drug prevention. Crews were on stand-by offering free tours of all the apparatus. The Police Department offered a wide range of activities, including a demonstration of the local K-9 units from around the county. Including West Deptford, East Greenwhich, Mantua, Deptford, Washington Twp., and Also Gloucester County K-9 units.

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