Fire Rescue News- ABANDONDED GLASS FACTORY FIRE RULED SUSPICIOUS
HAMMONTON-- Western Atlantic County landmark was ravaged by a fast moving fire, that is now under investigation. Residents are upset to see the old glass factory burn, and say they're not surprised the fire has been ruled suspicious.
"Flames coming out all over the place, actually, it looked like something blew it up." It was a sight John Cordero could hardly believe as he watched the.....Continue Reading
old glass factory across from his home in Hammonton go up in flames. "We really started worrying when the ashes started going this way," he said looking at his property.
Officials say the building was fully involved by the time fire crews responded to the North Egg Harbor Road property shortly before 8:00 Tuesday night, and quickly went to four alarms. Tankers were brought in from as far as Gloucester and Burlington counties to help battle the blaze. Old chemicals were found inside the building, clearly creating concern for those fighting the fast-moving flames. "We had the Atlantic County C-Burn team come in, they deemed it safe," said Hammonton Fire Chief Domenick Digiovannangelo, "there were some chemicals left over from the glass processing, but none of the containers were impinged on or open or leaking, so they deemed it safe."
It took fire crews about an hour and a half to bring the fire under control, and in the light of day, it's easy to see just how much damage was done. "Once we were up and running, we were able to make a good stop and hold fire to second floor," said the Chief, looking at what was left of the charred building.
Mother Nature was on the firefighter's side Wednesday with rain helping douse any potential hot spots, but as crews were fighting the fire, strong winds made an already difficult job even more dangerous. "It did push the smoke into the aerial apparatus," said the Chief, "the guys did put up with a lot of smoke up in the air."
"It's just a shame to see what's happened to the place," said long-time Hammonton resident, Bucky Kell, "It's watching history die, it was a very unique place." The old Skinner Glass factory dates back to the 1880s, but has been abandoned for several years, although many in the community had hoped to see it rehabbed. Those living in the neighborhood say while the building may've been empty, it hasn't exactly been vacant. "They had some problems with vandals a couple years ago," explained Kell, "and I heard a couple problems with people living in here, homeless or whatever, breaking in and stuff, and that's why they boarded it up and put the fence around it."
"They put a fence around it, they were cutting through the fence," said Cordero of people who would break-in to the old building. While it's unknown how the fire started, it has been ruled suspicious. Long-time residents say they're anxious to hear why this building burned, and say they're sad to see it go. "It'll look funny with a parking lot there," he said, shaking his head.
