From the Atlantic City Press Published: Thursday, April 10, 2008

A garage containing a car and propane bottles caught fire Wednesday afternoon, shutting down Jimmie Leeds Road for three hours while about 25 firefighters from several fire companies battled the flames, the fire chief said.

A 911 call was received at about 1:30 p.m. for a fire in the 200 block of Jimmie Leeds Road, and the first units arrived to see the detached garage fully engulfed in flames, Chief Rodney Calimer said. Firefighters had to deal with propane bottles in the garage as well as a car.

The garage was heavily damaged and was demolished for safety reasons, Calimer said. The home was not harmed.

Firefighters from the Bayview, Oceanville, Pomona and South Egg Harbor companies responded to the scene, while the Germania Fire Company and the Absecon Fire Department covered their stations, Calimer said.

The Galloway Emergency Medical Service also responded, but there were no injuries, Calimer said.

The cause of the fire is under investigation, Calimer said.

From the Atlantic City Press Published: Wednesday, April 02, 2008

A family of three must find new housing arrangements after a two-alarm fire seriously damaged their home on Main Street on (April 1st) Tuesday evening, fire officials said.

Fire crews were called to the 2-story house in the 1200 block of Main Street at 5:58 p.m. and arrived to see heavy flames coming from the rear of the first floor and smoke showing from the rest of the house, said firefighter Doug Hallquist.

One man was home at the time and jumped from a third-story window to escape the flames, Hallquist said. The man, whose name was not released, was taken to South Jersey Regional Medical Center in Vineland for treatment of unknown injuries. No one else was hurt.

The second alarm was called at 6:15 p.m. and the Vineland Fire Department responded, officials said.

The rear of the house suffered significant damage and the rest of the house suffered smoke damage, Hallquist said. The American Red Cross was on the scene to help the three residents find a place to stay.

Firefighters remained on the scene until 7:13 p.m., Hallquist said.

Compiled by staff writers Michelle Lee, Elaine Rose and Steven Lemongello

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From the Atlantic City Press Published: Friday, March 28, 2008

By LYNDA COHEN Staff Writer, 609-272-7257

ATLANTIC CITY - Victor Francesco was surprised by the call 10 years ago.
His middle son, Michael, said he was going to take the test to become a firefighter, just like his father.

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From the Atlantic City Press Published: Thursday, March 27, 2008

By LYNDA COHEN Staff Writer, 609-272-7257 Published: Thursday, March 27, 2008

PLEASANTVILLE - Five people - including three pedestrians - were injured Wednesday afternoon when a tow-truck driver.

A car was stopped for the cargo train, which had slowed as it approached Route 9 coming through the Atlantic City Cemetery at 2:40 p.m., Pleasantville Police Officer Herbert Simons said. But Frank Guenther, 22, went around the car and tried to make it over the tracks before the train got there, police said. He didn't quite make it across.

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From the Atlantic City Press Published: Wednesday, March 26, 2008

By ELAINE ROSE Staff Writer, 609-272-7215

VENTNOR - A local woman suffered serious injuries Tuesday morning when she was pinned between a car and a truck on Atlantic Avenue, police said.
Sumi Bharoocha, 39, was walking between two vehicles in the 7200 block of Ventnor Avenue at 11:36 a.m. when a car driven by Neil Lansman, 62, of Rydal, Pa., lurched forward and slammed her into a delivery truck parked in front of him, said Lt. Michael Miller.

From the Atlantic City Press Published: Tuesday, March 25, 2008

ATLANTIC CITY

Four people were displaced Monday night when a bedroom caught fire in their home on Kentucky Avenue, fire officials said.

A juvenile called 911 at about 9:07 p.m. to report the fire in the single-family house in the 500 block of Kentucky Avenue, said Battalion One Chief Gary Holmes. Firefighters and police had to rescue one 70-year-old man from the building, and the other three residents got out on their own.

The man was treated at the scene for minor injuries, Holmes said. No one else was hurt.

The bedroom sustained fire, water and smoke damage, and the rest of the house suffered smoke damage, Holmes said. The American Red Cross was making living arrangements for the occupants. A pet snake was returned to the house and safely secured until the owners can make plans for its care.
The block of Kentucky Avenue was closed to traffic for about half an hour while firefighters battled the flames and cleared the scene.

The cause of the fire is under investigation, but it is not considered suspicious, Holmes said.