At approximately 1550 hrs Task Force 45 (Mount Ephraim) was dispatched to the report of a dwelling fire located in the 200 block of Hartka Avenue. Numerous calls were received for the incident. First arriving companies had a 2 1/2 story balloon wood frame single family dwelling with heavy fire showing on side D floor 1 - extending to floor 2 and the floor 3 level.

Companies stretched hand-lines to the front door and began an aggressive interior attack. Crews were down to floor level and were not able to advance due to the heavy fire, fuel load and deteriorating interior conditions. The fire went from an all hands to a second alarm almost immediately. Companies had to abandon the interior attack and went totally defensive.

Master streams from Quint 1-1, Squrt 2-1, and Ladder 7-3 (Westville) as well as multiple hand lines went in service to knock down the fire. Several collapse occurred during the fire fighting activities and the defensive mode had to continue until knock down.

Rehab 13 was dispatched on the 2nd alarm at 1611 hrs and responded to the scene with all apparatus and eight personnel. Once Rehab 13 was able to make fire-ground access we were set up next door to the fire building. We proceeded to assist MEPRI and Barrington EMS across the street from the fire and deployed the following equipment: 4 Kore Kooler Chairs,  10 folding chairs, (1) cool air mister, cold liquids, cooling towels and water/buckets/ gallons, light snack foods, and the rest room. Due to the extended nature of the operation the rest and recovery area was active well into the night.

During the Mount Ephraim assignment we received two additional calls for service, both involving police agencies. The first came from Gloucester Twp for a police emergency. As we could not leave the Mt. Ephraim job, this call was handled by Rehab 1 and Rehab 2 from Camden County.

A third request for service came in from Pennsauken PD and the NJSP and we were able to free up U1388 and U1386 to respond to this incident under the command of 13802 (Captain Beringer). Both units responded and upon arrival Rehab Command made an assessment and it was determined that Rehab 13 would be needed. At this time Mount Ephraim command released us to respond to the Pennsauken assignment.

Photos @ Mt Ephraim by Lt. J. Cundiff, Rehab 13 - and Curt Hudson as noted