Camden Fire Rips Through Rowhome and Spreads to Two Others

Photo by Frank SaiaCamden Engine Co 1 FF Leo Perdomo operates the pump to make sure water is flowing to the crews operating on he fireground.

Photo by Frank SaiaA 2.5" handline is used to knock the main body of fire in the original fire building as the ladder company makes its way to the roof at the second alarm fire at 820 N. 5th Street, Camden, NJ on February 28, 2026.

Photo by Frank SaiaCamden R-1 FF David Goree opens up the front porch ceiling to access the fire that was spreading across the porches at the second alarm fire at 820 N. 5th Street, Camden, NJ on February, 28, 2026.

Photo by Frank SaiaEngine 1 Captain Craig Bazan hits the fire running the front porches at the fire at 820 N. 5th Street, Camden, NJ on February 28, 2026.

Photo by Frank SaiaFirst arriving Battalion Chief, Michael Miller, managing fireground operations at the second alarm fire at 820 N. 5th Street, Camden, NJ on February 28, 2026.
At approximately 2041 hours on February 28, 2026, the Camden County Fire Alarm Room transmitted a box for the Camden Fire Department for the report of a dwelling fire at 5th and Grant Streets. The Alarm Room received a couple of calls on it with a report that a female might still be inside. Ladder Co. 1 was first to arrive and reported heavy smoke showing from a two story middle of the row, ordinary constructed dwelling. Heavy smoke quickly turned into heavy fire. Engine Co. 1 was the first due engine and immediately stretched a handline to hit the main body of fire and to stop the fire from running the front porches. Ladder C.o 1 forced entry, performed primary searches, went to the roof as fire quickly spread to the second floor and into the roof area. Battalion Chief 2, Michael Miller, ordered an additional engine and truck due to fire spreading to the attached B and D exposures. At approximately 2057 hours, the second alarm was transmitted. As other companies arrived, additional handlines were stretched to knock down the main body of fire and to attack the fire fire that spread into the exposures. The original fire building had partial collapses and companies knocked the fire from a defensive position. The fire was declared probable at approximately 2117 hours and several companies remained on location for extended overhaul operations.