Fire/Rescue News- Bargaintown fire house inspection will guide rebuilding

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The 75-year old Fire Station One on Mill Road suffered extensive damage after an electrical blaze in December 2007. The fire destroyed the attic and damaged the kitchen, meeting room, bathroom and furniture. Nace said the rest of the building has taken on mold and water damage during the 20 months since the fire.

Nace estimated the price tag for the new 10,000 square-foot fire house to be about $1.4 million. That tally does not include a demolition fee or the cost of repairing what's left of the old building. Nace said the Bargaintown Volunteer Fire Company has more than $400,000 for the project from insurance money and fundraisers. He hopes that money is enough to construct the shell of the building and get the fire engines inside by winter. "We want to take the time to do it right," Nace said. "At least if we get the shell up, we can finish off the inside as we get the funds."

If it is determined that the remains of the old building must be demolished, the company may seek more funds from its insurer, Nace said.

Bargaintown fire officials sent their rebuilding plans to the Pinelands Commission last fall. The proposal was delayed because the fire company wanted to change its nonprofit status so the building application fee would be $500 instead of $8,700.

Nace said the Pinelands Commission approved the application in late June after the U.S. Internal Revenue Service allowed the fire company to switch from a 501c4 organization, a tax code for civic leagues and social welfare groups, to a 501c3 organization, a tax code for public charities and public safety groups.

The project now moves to the township Planning Board for review.

Meanwhile, the Bargaintown fire company continues raising reconstruction money.

Joan Hoffman, a member of the women's auxiliary and the rebuilding committee, said the township has been supportive and people have offered to donate a commercial kitchen, cabinets and time to help with the rebuilding. Other ideas for the fire house include putting up solar panels to produce electricity and radiant floor heating to dry fire hoses faster.

Hoffman said funding is still a major concern. The company applied for a $1 million federal stimulus grant. If the company doesn't get the grant, Hoffman said, they will still break ground later this month or in September, install a bathroom and weatherproof the building. "(Even) if we don't have all the bells and whistles we like, we will be functional," she said.

E-mail Michelle Lee: MLee@pressofac.com

How to help

Donations to repair the Bargaintown firehouse may be sent to the Phoenix Fund, Bargaintown Volunteer Fire Company, 6550 Mill Road, Egg Harbor Township, NJ 08234

For more information, call the township fire inspections office at 609-926-4096.