A Look Back in History From: FireHouse.com
Nesco Fire Department Destroyed in Early Morning Blaze
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PRINT THIS STORYCourtesy of The Atlantic Daily Sentinel
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"There were a lot of memories in that building, it hits you in the pit of your stomach and deep in your heart."
Germania Assistant Fire Chief Chip Stockton
Atlantic County Tanker Task Force Coordinator
It was a passerby that spotted smoke coming out of the Nesco Volunteer Fire Department building at 2 a.m. Sunday Morning. By the time firefighters arrived, half of the building was engulfed in flames. An investigation into the cause of the blaze is still underway.
Nesco Fire Chief Carmen Merlino said the loss is total and he is thankful that nobody was burned in the fire. Two firefighter that rescued two fire engines from the burning building were overcome with smoke inhalation, according to Nesco. They were treated and released from Kessler Memorial Hospital.
"Thank heaven nobody got burned," said Merlino. "It's a tragedy and a terrible loss. Now that everything is gone I get tears in my eyes."
A loss of electricity kept the large bay doors from opening, according to the chief making fighting the fire more difficult.
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A total loss of equipment including Nesco's first fire engine from 1925
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"The electric was knocked out in the building and we could not get the doors open," said Merlino. "The air packs were on the wall and we had no gear at all. Another company came in with water and air packs."
More than 60 fire engines reported to the scene and a water task force call was broadcast bringing in trucks from four counties. The Elwood tanker was the first water to arrive on the scene Sunday morning.
Firefighters from the Elwood Fire Department rescued one fire engine and Nesco firefighters were able to save a second engine, according to Merlino.
"The Tanker Task Force came out and Chip Stockton from the Germania Fire Company was in charge," said Merlino. "But we are not even sure how many fire companies or firefighters were there and I don't want to slight anybody that helped us."
Stockton said that more than 150 firefighters from four counties responded to the scene including: Greenbank, Lower bank, New Gretna, Elm, Winslow, Waterford, Lindenwold, Cederbrook, Secil, West Tuckerton (to cover New Gretna), Absecon, All (5) Galloway, Port Republic, Somers Point, Scullville, Bargaintown, Farmington, Egg Harbor Township, Mays Landing, Weymouth, Laureldale, Folsom, Collings Lakes, Hammonton, Elwood, Sweetwater, Weekstown, Nesco, Ambulance Rescue Crews: Mullica Township, Galloway, Egg Harbor City, Communications: Camden County Field Communications Field Com I, The American Red Cross and the Salvation Army.
"This is a tragedy," said Stockton. "We are used to going to help a citizen. You're never really trained to put a fire out in a firehouse and it is a different scenario all together. We all know how hard it is to raise funds and earn money to buy equipment to put out fires."
The Nesco Volunteer Fire Department dates back to 1925 and the building was constructed in four sections, according to Merlino. A 1925 America LaFrance fire engine was lost in the fire, the companies first piece of equipment. It was currently used as a chemical truck and Merlino said the engine had won many awards in firefighting show. A tanker pumper was lost and the fire chief's car with all his turn-out equipment also went up in flames. The last addition to the building was constructed in the 70s.
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Doug Calladonato Two engines were rescued from the building by two firefighters overcome with smoke inhalation.
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Now the volunteers of the Nesco Fire Department will have to rebuild their company from the ground up. Merlino said he was grateful that no serious injuries occurred.
"This is tough," said Merlino. "I've been there 29 years."
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