DAVE STATTER
Courtesy
STATter911.com / WUSA
12:26:18
12:28:55
12:29:37
All pictures above are by Steve Skipton, the New Jersey editor for PhillyFireNews.com. Click here to see the entire series from Steve and Keith James.
An explosion Friday afternoon about three minutes after Camden, New Jersey firefighters went to work at a house fire at 231 Grand Avenue. Battalion Chief Tony Phelps was first on the scene reporting a 2-story, occupied, end-of-row dwelling with heavy fire from the first floor.
Steve Skipton, the New Jersey editor for
PhillyFireNews.com was also on the scene. He captured the events in a series of pictures that begins at 12:16:18.
Engine 11 is the first company to arrive behind Chief Phelps. Engine 11 would normally be second due, but sources say that Task Force 3 (Engine 9/Ladder 3) was out of service due to mechanical problems.
From the pictures is appears two firefighters from Engine 11 take a line into the first floor to attack the fire that is venting from two windows in Quadrant D.
Chief Phelps is seen observing the fire from the lawn on Side A at 12:28:55. At 12:29:37, Skipton's photo captures flying glass and other debris from what witnesses say was an explosion on the second floor.
Chief Phelps was injured by the flying debris.
He was treated and released from a local hospital. The two firefighters inside apparently were not hurt.
A second alarm was transmitted for the fire.
Al Ashley, president of Fire Officers Union Local 2578, told the Courier Post that the explosion was a backdraft.
More: STATter911.com - PhillyFireNews.com