A.C. fire kills 101-year-old man

Tuesday, February 12 2008 @ 12:13 pm EST

Contributed by: CBrining



Firefighters battle flames, icy weather during Venice Park blaze

From the Atlantic City Press published: Tuesday, February 12, 2008

By ELAINE ROSE Staff Writer, 609-272-7215

Ed Jordan, 101, was found dead in the second-story bedroom of an Atlantic City home destroyed by fire on Monday. Jordan began his public service with Atlantic City on the Police Department in the 1920s, then transferred to the city's Fire Department, where he later retired a deputy chief. photo provided by Atlantic City fire officials.

ATLANTIC CITY - A 101-year-old man was killed in a house fire Monday night in the Venice Park section, as about 40 firefighters battled frigid temperatures and icy winds along with the flames, a fire official said.

Click here for full article. The call of a house fire at Michigan and Morningside avenues came in at 7:45 p.m., and firefighters arrived at the two-story house to see the second floor completely filled with smoke, Battalion Chief Michael Mooney said. They immediately began to search for victims while trying to locate the source of the fire.

A team from Engine 2 was bringing in a hose line when they found the 101-year-old man in the second-story bedroom, Mooney said. They removed the victim and an ambulance took him to AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center, where he was later pronounced dead.

The victim's name was not released pending notification of his relatives. There were no other reported injuries, Mooney said.

A second alarm was called, bringing about 40 firefighters and 20 police officers to the scene, Mooney said. The Absecon Fire Department also responded to provide Atlantic City firefighters with liquids and a place to warm up. The American Red Cross also responded to the scene.

The Critical Incident Stress Debriefing team also came to the scene to help firefighters deal with their reactions to the incident, Mooney said. Firefighters worked under extremely difficult conditions of extreme cold and wind, Mooney said. Water used to fight the flames froze on the street, and the Public Works Department was called to put salt and sand on the street.

The National Weather Service reported the temperature to be about 20 degrees at the time of the fire.

The fire was declared under control shortly before 9 p.m., but the site was still burning several hours later, Mooney said.

The home was totally destroyed in the fire, Mooney said. The cause remains under investigation.



Atlantic City Fire Dept. mourns retired commander, 101, killed in blaze

From the Atlantic City Press published: Wednesday, February 13, 2008

By LYNDA COHEN Staff Writer, 609-272-7257

ATLANTIC CITY - Former Fire Chief John Bereheiko just shook his head as he stood across the street looking at the remains of the two-story home Tuesday. "It broke my heart last night when I found out a firefighter died in a fire," he said.

As investigators searched for clues to what started the Monday evening blaze, the department's new leaders fondly remembered the man who had saved hundreds from fires, only to perish in one at the age of 101.

Ed Jordan served on the department nearly 40 years, after more than 10 years as a police officer. He was commander at more than 200 fires, suffered 48 injuries on the job and "in the end, was carried out by the brothers he loved so much," Fire Chief Dennis Brooks said Tuesday.

"This is a tragic event," said Mayor Scott Evans, currently on leave from his job with the department. Jordan worked with Evans' great-great grandfather.

When firefighters arrived on the scene Monday shortly after the call came in at 7:38 p.m., the second-floor was already filled with smoke, Battalion Chief Michael Mooney said.

Engine 2 was bringing in a hose line when they found Jordan in the second-story bedroom, Mooney said. Jordan was pronounced dead at AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center, but fire officials said he died at the scene.

"Everything's just so ironic," said Jordan's grandson Charles, also a retired firefighter. "A man who gave his life to the Fire Department during the early part of the years when it was like nothing, then to be captured in a fire and die in the arms of firefighters."

Charles, 52, learned a love of fire service from his grandfather. He grew up across the street from the now-closed Pennsylvania Avenue fire station. He and his parents lived on the first floor; his grandfather lived downstairs.

"I think we all at one point went through the Pennsylvania Avenue station," Charles said.

One day, when he was about 5, Charles was looking out his grandfather's window at that station when he saw billowing black smoke across the way. A hotel was on fire.

Ed Jordan "was calling it in as I was saying, 'Grandpop, look,'" Charles said.

Fire service became the family business. Both of Ed's sons - Edward and Donald - were firefighters. Donald retired after he was injured falling off a ladder.

When Charles became an Atlantic City firefighter, there were five Jordans, he said. He joined his father, Uncle Donald and several cousins. Another part of the family, the Fetters, was also represented. Matthew Jordan, Ed's nephew, is the only current family member serving on the city's department.

"Why us Jordans all did it, I don't know," Charles said. "It's just something in our genes, I guess."

The gene was passed on by Ed Jordan, who continued to share his fire stories with the younger generation nearly 40 years after his 1971 retirement.

Brooks said his daughter, Taylor, 11, loved Jordan's stories.

"He had a really strong recollection," Brooks said. "He remembered it all, even the color of the smoke."

On July 2, 2006, the Fire Department celebrated Jordan's 100th birthday.

Just entering the fire station took years off, Mooney said. "He strolled in there like he was 70 years old."

"You never stop being a fireman," said Charles, who retired in 1989 after he fell from a 35-foot ladder.

Ed Jordan never did, sharing his stories and advise with younger firefighters.

"They called him Easy Ed Jordan," Mooney said.

"And he wasn't easy," Mooney, Brooks and Bereheiko said in unison.

"It was either his way or the highway," Charles Jordan said of the reason behind his grandfather's nickname. "He was always barking orders.

"He'd probably have been barking orders last night," he added with a chuckle. "'Now bring the line in this way, kid.'"

But Jordan's life didn't end Monday, Mooney said. "He's going to live on in the memory of our department."

Brooks has ordered a full firefighter's funeral. As per Jordan's wishes, they will make sure he's dressed in uniform.

A viewing will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at the Gormley Funeral Home, 2706 Atlantic Ave. in Atlantic City. The funeral will be held from 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday.

Elwood Fire Rescue
https://www.evfc160.com/main/article.php/20080212061304691