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1971
Lawrence Road Fire Co. apparatus at this time was identified as follows:
Engine 221 (1969 Maxim pumper); Engine 222 (1964 Maxim pumper); and
Truck 223 (1959 Ford utility truck/light plant).
January
5, 1971
On Tuesday, January 5, 1971, Lawrence Road Fire Co. was dispatched at
8:10 p.m. to Colonial Lake on a possible drowning. Firefighters spent
90 minutes searching but were unable to locate any victim. The following
story was published by the Trenton Evening Times on Wednesday, January
6, 1971: “Investigation of Colonial Lake on Route 1 this morning
has led Lawrence Township police to assume that last night’s scream
of ‘Help, I'm drowning,’ was a hoax. Last night, township
police received a call at 7:47 p.m. from Claire Sherman of 15 Colonial
Lake Drive reporting the scream. She described it as ‘a horrendous
call.’ Police initially checked the area behind the Sherman home
until ambulances and light trucks arrived at 8:15 p.m. Units from the
Slackwood, Lawrenceville and Lawrence Road fire companies and the Lawrence
First Aid Squad looked for a hole in the lake ice. The lake was swept
three times before the search terminated at 9:55 p.m., said Patrolman
Clarence Smirers. He said, ‘We could find no holes in the ice where
a person might have gone through. There wasn't even a soft spot out
there.’ ”
January
7, 1971
A dwelling on Pretty Brook Road burned down on Thursday, January 7,
1971. According to the incident report, Lawrence Road firefighters were
dispatched at 6:45 p.m. and were on scene for 4.5 hours. They used 150
feet of 2.5-inch hose and 300 feet of 1.5-inch hose, along with two
ground ladders. This story was printed in the Trenton Evening Times
on Friday, January 8, 1971: “Investigators are probing the cause
of a fire that gutted a guest house on the estate of a New York investment
banker in the northern section of Lawrence Township last night. Elizabeth
L. Mills, 45, of Pretty Brook Road saw flames under the roof of the
two-story frame pool-side cottage as she looked from a window of her
home at 6:45 p.m. Flames had enveloped the 30-by-60 foot guest house
by the time volunteers arrived. Firemen from Lawrenceville, Lawrence
Road, Pennington and Hopewell fire companies responded, under the leadership
of Lawrenceville Assistant Chief Gordon T. Buxton. Water was pumped
from the swimming pool. Lost in the blaze, among other furnishings,
were a $2,000 sofa, chinaware, and fishing equipment. Mercer County
Fire Marshal John Dempster called in investigators from the board of
fire underwriters. Dempster said he learned an electrician had installed
equipment to keep the water line from freezing and that the job was
finished yesterday.”
January
22, 1971
At 10:48 p.m. on Friday, January 22, 1971, Lawrence Road Fire Co. was
dispatched to the residence at 146 Johnson Avenue. Firefighters found
that a defective heater had started a small fire that had extended to
a nearby wall and ceiling. The fire was quickly brought under control
and firefighters cleared the scene after only 50 minutes. “The
occupant was advised not to light heater before having it thoroughly
cleaned,” according to the incident report. But the resident apparently
ignored those directions because Lawrence Road firefighters were dispatched
back to the home at 7:55 a.m. on Saturday, January 23, 1971. According
to the incident report, “the occupant relit the defective heater
without cleaning it out as previously advised by the fire company.”
Flames from the heater spread through the ceiling into the attic and
firefighters spent 90 minutes extinguishing the blaze. Lawrence Road
Firefighter John LemMon broke one of the fingers on his right hand during
the call.
February
13, 1971
At 11:30 p.m. on Saturday, February 13, 1971, Lawrence Road Fire Co.
was sent to the Trenton Farmer’s Market to assist Slackwood firefighters
at a working fire. According to the incident report, Lawrence Road crews
used 300 feet of 1.5-inch hose and were on scene for 90 minutes. This
account was printed in the Trenton Evening Times on Monday, February
15, 1971: “Lawrence Township police and fire officials today are
attempting to determine the origin of a fire that gutted the A&M
Fruit Stand in the Trenton Farmer’s Market on Spruce Street early
Sunday. Firemen from the Slackwood and Lawrenceville Road fire companies
battled the wind-whipped blaze for more than an hour before bringing
it under control. The fire was reported shortly after 11:30 p.m. Saturday.
There was extensive fire, smoke and water damage, according to police.
The ceiling over the fruit stand was burned out and substantial quantity
of vegetables was destroyed.”
June
2, 1971
At 12:11 p.m. on Wednesday, June 2, 1971, the Lawrence Road Fire Co.
sent a crew to stand by in the headquarters of Princeton Engine 3 while
Princeton and Kingston firefighters battled a blaze in chicken barn
on Princeton-Kingston Road. Lawrence Road firefighters covered for about
90 minutes.
July 8, 1971
Lawrence Road 2nd Assistant Chief Warren Groover Jr. cut his right index
finger while fighting a vehicle fire at the corner of Lawrence Road
and Forrest Avenue at 10:20 p.m. on Thursday, July 8, 1971. During the
meeting held on Monday, July 12, 1971, Chief Robert Hazen reported that
Groover went to the hospital and was treated for the cut. But “a
few days later he had to go to Doctor Fiorello and get further treatment
as he had developed blood poisoning.”
July
12, 1971
During the meeting held on July 12, 1971, Leo Lydon was appointed lieutenant
to fill the post vacated by his brother, Joe. Also during the meeting,
“Chief Robert Hazen asked the opinion of the members on looking
into the possibility of selling our Ford utility truck. Bob said in
the future he would like to see us have a truck with all the equipment
presently carried on the floor, plus a water tank and hose lines. The
chief was authorized by the floor to check out further the situation.”
July
22, 1971
At 12:23 a.m. on Thursday, July 22, 1971, the Lawrence Road Fire Co.
was dispatched to Bayer’s Box Factory at 176 Drift Avenue. According
to the incident report, the blaze started in the right front corner
and spread through the one-story frame building. Lawrence Road firefighters
used 400 feet of 1.5-inch hose and were on the scene 90 minutes. Slackwood
Fire Co. assisted. The blaze was of suspicious origin, according to
the incident report.
August
27-September 1, 1971
For more than 62 hours over the course of the six day period from Friday,
August 27, 1971, to Wednesday, September 1, 1971, Lawrence Road firefighters
worked in shifts to help members of the Colonial Fire Co. pump out countless
flooded cellars in their district. During the effort on August 27, 1971,
Lawrence Road Firefighter James Yates cut one of his fingers and was
treated at St. Francis Hospital. “One-fourth of Hamilton Township
was declared to be in a state of emergency. Flooding forced about 200
Hamilton families to evacuate their homes along Pond Run. Two separate
storms, capped by Tropical Storm Dora and high winds of up to 50 miles
per hour, dumped 8.09 inches of rain on the Trenton area between midnight
Thursday and yesterday morning,” according to a report published
in the Trenton Sunday Times Advertiser on August 29, 1971.
September
8, 1971
The following resolution was adopted Wednesday, September 8, 1971, by
the Mercer County Board of Chosen Freeholders: “Whereas, the County
of Mercer was hit with a damaging rain storm on August 27 and 28, 1971;
and whereas, thousands of county residents, business, industry and governmental
units experienced millions of dollars in property damage as a result
of said storm; and whereas, a massive community effort was needed to
assist those property owners most adversely affected by the storm; and
whereas, various volunteer fire companies, first aid emergency and rescue
squads, the Mercer County Civil Defense and Disaster Control Unit, and
many county employees cooperated to provide emergency services both
during and after the damaging rain storm; now, therefore, be it resolved
that the Mercer County Board of Chosen Freeholders does hereby commend
the aforementioned community organizations and individuals for their
dedication to duty and outstanding service to the community during the
recent storm disaster.”
November
4, 1971
At 10:26 p.m. on Thursday, November 4, 1971, Lawrence Road Fire Co.
was dispatched mutual aid to West Windsor Township to help extinguish
a fire in a barn on Quakerbridge Road. Lawrence Road firefighters used
1,000 feet of 2.5-inch hose and remained on the scene for 4.5 hours,
according to the incident report. The following story was published
by the Trenton Evening Times on Friday, November 5, 1971: “The
second West Windsor fire in 24 hours labeled as ‘suspicious’
destroyed a large barn and heavily damaged another yesterday, Fire Chief
Joseph Zuccarello said today. The two barns, situated on Quakerbridge
and Village roads just west of the Assunpink Creek, burst into flames
around 10:15 p.m. for no apparent reason, said Zuccarello. The barns
are near the new Mercer County Community College campus. The largest
barn was burned to the ground and the smaller barn received heavy damage
in the loft area along with water damage on the first floor. Both barns
had a large quantity of hay. Zuccarello said the first fire of suspicious
nature was an empty garage on Everett Drive that also burst into flames
for no apparent reason about 2:30 a.m. yesterday.”
December
12, 1971
At 3:53 p.m. on Sunday, December 12, 1971, the Lawrence Road Fire Co.
was dispatched to assist Lawrenceville firefighters with a fire in the
Fine Arts Building of Rider College. The fire, located between floor
boards in the stage area, was out on arrival.
December
13, 1971
At the meeting on Monday, December 13, 1971, Chief Robert Hazen reported
that “the Schaefer Brewing Co. was having a dinner for one outstanding
fireman from each company in New Jersey in 1971. The dinner will be
held February 19, 1972.” Joseph Lydon was selected as Lawrence
Road’s outstanding fireman of the year.
December
19, 1971
Lawrence Road firefighters were dispatched to a structure fire on Lawrenceville-Princeton
Road near Squibb at 3:30 a.m. on Sunday, December 19, 1971. Lawrence
Road firefighters used 1,500 feet of 2.5-inch hose and 300 feet of 1.5-inch
hose and remained on the scene for 3.5 hours, according to the incident
report. The following details appeared in a story published by the Trenton
Evening Times on Monday, December 20, 1971: “The party was over
and guests had left the home of Mr. and Mrs. J.L. Moynahan on the Lawrenceville-Princeton
Road. The hosts were ready to retire at 3:30 a.m. yesterday when their
14-year-old daughter, Molly, shouted there was a fire in the garage
on the nearby property of Walter Wilson of Constitution Drive, Princeton
Township. The glare had awakened her. Asleep in the Wilsons’ leased
house less than 200 feet from the burning two-story building were John
E. Kerney, his wife, two sons and a daughter. Fire alarms were telephoned
to Lawrence Township police by Moynahan and another neighbor. Volunteers
responded from Lawrence, Princeton, Hamilton and Hopewell townships
with 15 units. They cast off an estimated 7,000 feet of hose to draw
water from a creek after their pumper tanks were emptied. They were
unable to save the two-car garage and rooms above it, but they doused
flames that spread to the corner of a barn. The cause of the fire remains
undetermined. ‘The firemen did a fantastic job,’ said Wilson.
Firemen were on the scene until 7 a.m. and given coffee and food by
neighbors and the Signal 22 Association's canteen van from Trenton.”
January
13, 1972
On Thursday, January 13, 1972, Lawrence Road firefighters extinguished
a blaze in Lawrence High School South. The Trenton Evening Times published
these details in a story in that night's newspaper: “A fire of
undetermined origin burned out a second-floor classroom at Lawrence
High School South on Princeton Pike early this morning before the start
of school. According to Chief Robert Hazen of the Lawrence Road Fire
Co., the fire broke out about 7:20 a.m. and the school's automatic fire
detection system turned in the alarm. Three companies – Lawrence
Road, Lawrenceville and Slackwood – responded. About 75 firemen
fought the blaze for about 40 minutes. Mopping up operations continued
for some time afterward.”
January
14, 1972
The following letter, dated January 14, 1972, was received from Lawrence
Township Schools Superintendent Robert P. Schremser: “I wish to
convey the deep appreciation f the Board of Education and administration
of the Lawrence Township Public Schools to the members of your organization
for the prompt and efficient way in which you put out the fire in Lawrence
High School South yesterday, January 13. Through your efforts, the blaze
was not only extinguished quickly and prevented from spreading, but
we had all the children back in school about 9:15 a.m. and in their
classes about 10 a.m. In the past, I realize that the automatic fire
alarm systems in a couple of our buildings have malfunctioned and caused
false alarms. Of course, we have tried to correct this situation but
still are having some problems. I am glad that the automatic alarm functioned
properly this time and that dedicated men such as yourselves answered
the call without questioning whether it was another false alarm. Again,
many thanks for your good work, and best wishes for continued success
to your entire organization.”
January
17, 1972
On Monday, January 17, 1972, Lawrence Road firefighters responded to
another fire in Lawrence High School South. The following story appeared
in that night’s Trenton Evening Times: “A small fire today
burned a teachers’ workroom at Lawrence High South, the second
fire at the school within four days. A blaze Thursday destroyed a classroom
directly above the main entrance. The room burned today was located
next to the destroyed classroom. The fire apparently started in a stack
of papers in one corner of the small room. Teachers coming in for classes
spotted smoke seeping around the workroom door and tuned in the alarm
at 7:45 a.m. All three Lawrence Township fire companies responded and
put the fire out with extinguishers. Damage was to the papers and one
wall of the room. The smoky fire was out shortly after 8 a.m. The cause
of both fires is still undetermined, Lawrence police Capt. Nicholas
Loveless said, noting no obvious evidence of arson has turned up yet
but that the possibility has not been ruled out.”
January
22, 1971
Lawrence Road firefighters helped Slackwood crews at the scene of a
structure fire on Saturday, January 22, 1971. The following story was
printed in the Trenton Sunday Times Advertiser on January 23, 1972:
“Traffic in the northbound lanes of U.S. 1 was tied up briefly
early yesterday afternoon when fire broke out in a second-floor apartment
at 1860 Brunswick Pike. About 40 men from the Slackwood and Lawrence
Road fire companies had the blaze, which began at about 12:15 p.m.,
under control in 15 minutes. There were no injuries. The fire started
as one of the occupants was making candles on the kitchen stove. The
27-year-old woman threw water on the stove and the flames shot up a
window shade to the roof, the chief said. Burns said the fire caused
heavy damage to the roof and smoke and water damage to the apartment.
Fireman Dale Robbins rescued a cat.”
1972
January
24, 1972
On Monday, January 24, 1972, Lawrence Road firefighters responded mutual
aid to Ewing Township to help battle a blaze in Mrs. G’s appliance
store at 1801 North Olden Avenue. The following report was published
by the Trenton Evening Times on Tuesday, January 25, 1972:
“…The
general alarm fire called in at 9:32 p.m. was reportedly touched off
by a ‘gas malfunction.’ Prospect Heights Fire Chief Joseph
Lenarski said that at one point the leakage of pure gas threatened to
explode in the rear of the store. Flames fed huge clouds of smoke billowing
hundreds of feet in the air. A crowd of spectators watched from the
street as refrigerators, freezers, washers, stoves and television sets
were destroyed behind the broken picture windows. Other household appliances
melted in the burning building that measured 125-by-75 feet. Some nearby
residents said they heard a loud explosion before the start of the fire,
which caved in a 100-foot section of the metal roof. Seven firemen were
treated for smoke inhalation and two for cut hands.
“The
blaze, which drew 14 pieces of firefighting equipment and more than
100 firemen from five companies, threatened to spread to the House of
Hi-Fi next door. The homes on Bruce Lane were also in danger as high
winds blew smoke and sparks over the residential section. At 11:15 p.m.,
Lenarski ordered Mrs. G’s evacuated of firemen and equipment when
leaking gas created the possibility of an explosion. Lenarksi said that
when hoses had doused most of the flames in the building, a ruptured
gas line allowed the flammable fumes to flow freely. At 11:45 p.m.,
Public Service was able to find the shut-of valve and cut off the supply
of gas.”
March
1, 1972
A burning boat was extinguished by the Slackwood and Lawrence Road fire
companies on Wednesday, March 1, 1972. The following news brief appeared
in the Trenton Evening Times on Thursday, March 2, 1972: “The sound
of crackling flames came to 18-year-old Joseph Blandford of 13 Lannigan
Drive through his open bedroom window yesterday. He looked out and saw
the cover burning on a 15-foot fiberglass boat stored on its keel close
to the house on a patio. Blandford awakened his parents and the family
of eight got out of the house, taking their dog and cat. Slackwood and
Lawrence Road volunteers answered the 5:15 a.m. alarm. The blaze destroyed
the boat and blackened the back of the asbestos-shingled two-story house.”
March
28, 1972
Lawrence Road firefighters again responded mutual aid to Ewing Township
for a fire in the R.A. Constable Co. furniture store at 1636 North Olden
Avenue, near Arctic Parkway, on Tuesday, March 28, 1972. The Trenton
Evening Times published these details in a story on Wednesday, March
29, 1972: “…The fire was called in at 9:19 last night after
police reported that an explosion, possibly from a gas furnace, blew
out many of the store's windows. Firemen from Prospect Heights, Pennington
Road and West Trenton, along with men from the Slackwood, Lawrenceville
and Lawrence Road fire companies, were called to the blazing fire. Winds
blew the billowing black smoke over East Trenton and surrounding neighborhoods.
Pennington Road Fire Chief William Mitchell ordered Public Service to
shut off the power in the building about 9:50 p.m. after flames had
destroyed nearby electrical power cables. Firemen, fighting in masks
on top of the burning flat-roofed structure and inside it with axes
and hoses, managed to keep the flames from spreading to the S&H
Green Stamps store next door. Several firemen were treated at the scene
for smoke inhalation.”
May
22, 1972
Lawrence Road’s first (as far as can be recalled) African-American
member, Moses Underwood, was accepted into membership during the company
meeting held on Monday, May 22, 1972.
June
10, 1972
A dead woman was found by Lawrence Road firefighters responding to a
reported smoke condition on Saturday, June 10, 1972. The following was
published in the Trenton Sunday Times Advertiser on June 11, 1972: “Firemen
responding to a cooking fire at 91 Fairfield Avenue last night found
the body of a 72-year-old woman who apparently had suffered a heart
attack. Lawrence police said the woman, Marion Porch, who lived alone
in the house, had apparently been cooking when she suffered the fatal
attack. When her 13-year-old grandson came to the house to visit her
at about 7:40 p.m. he smelled smoke and returned home to tell his father,
who called police. Men from the Slackwood and Lawrence Road fire companies
responded. They found Porch lying on the floor and smoke coming from
a pot on the stove.”
July
23, 1972
Lawrence Road firefighters were mobilized for a major blaze that caused
an estimated $500,000 damage at the C&R Waste Materials Co. on Beakes
Street in Ewing on Sunday, July 23, 1972. The fire was reported at 6:05
p.m. The Trenton Evening Times published these details on Monday, July
24, 1972: “...Most of the damage was to materials stored in the
firm's cinderblock building. More than 100 firemen battled the blaze
in 90-plus degree heat. Several suffered from exhaustion. Volunteers
responded to the alarm from Ewing, Hamilton, and Lawrence townships
and Trenton. Mercer Airport were also on the scene. One of the problems
in battling the blaze was smoldering bales of paper that had to be hosed
down as firemen penetrated the 25,000-square-foot warehouse. Treated
at Mercer Hospital were Ewing firemen William Bennett, 31, and Albert
R. Fink, 53. Others were treated at the scene. The fire was brought
under control in little more than an hour but some firemen were still
on the scene until midnight.”
September
4, 1972
Another mutual aid request sent Lawrence Road firefighters into Ewing
Township on the night of Monday, September 4, 1972, for a fire in a
furniture store. The following account was printed in the Trenton Evening
Times on Tuesday, September 5, 1972: “…Fire spreading from
a refuse-filled trailer-truck heavily damaged the property of the Sanbern
Furniture Co. at 2175 Spruce Street in Ewing last night. More than 70
volunteers from suburban companies battled the smoky blaze, which penetrated
the warehouse and factory section but was stopped by a firewall before
it entered the showroom. Most of the damage was to merchandise. The
alarm was at 10:11 p.m. Answering the call were Prospect Heights, Pennington
Road, West Trenton, Lawrence Road, and Slackwood fire companies and
the Nottingham Way ambulance. The blaze was brought under control in
little more than an hour but firemen remained on the scene until 1 a.m.
The fire reportedly started in one of three unhitched trailers at the
rear of the building facing Jane Street.”
September
6, 1972
Lawrence Road firefighters were called to the Rider College campus to
assist Lawrenceville Fire Co. during a hazardous materials situation
caused by a small chemical spill on Wednesday, September 6, 1972. “An
estimated 100 persons were routed from the administration offices and
library in the same building on the Rider campus,” according to
a story printed in the Trenton Evening Times on Thursday, September
7, 1972.
December
19, 1972
At about 12:30 p.m. on Tuesday, December 19, 1972, Lawrence Road Fire
Co. was dispatched to a house fire at 49 Albemarle Road. Lawrence Road
firefighters were assisted by Lawrenceville and Slackwood firefighters
and contained the blaze to a second-floor room. This news brief was
published in the Trenton Evening Times on Wednesday, December 20, 1972:
“Fire spread from a sofa through a second-floor room in the home
of Juanita Austin, 27, at 49 Albemarle Road yesterday. The township’s
three volunteer fire companies were dispatched at 12:30 p.m. to put
out the smoky fire. Cause of the blaze was not disclosed.”
1973
February
4, 1973
Lawrence Road firefighters assisted Slackwood firefighters at the scene
of a fire in an office building on Saturday, February 3, 1973. An article
in the Trenton Sunday Times Advertiser on February 4, 1973, reported:
“A fire that started in or near a gas heater destroyed the interior
of the Lombardo office building on Whitehead Road near Route 1 early
yesterday. Mario Lombardo, whose real estate officers were located in
the one-story building, estimated damage at close to $50,000. The fire
started at 2 a.m.”
February
8, 1973
Lawrence Road Firefighter Clinton Groover was hurt while responding
to an emergency call on Thursday, February 8, 1973, according to a letter
sent to the fire company’s insurance company. The nature of the
injury was not mentioned in the letter. On February 8, 1973, Lawrence
Road firefighters responded to a false alarm at Lawrenceville Nursing
Home, according to the minutes of the company meeting held Monday, February
12, 1973.
February
13, 1973
On Tuesday, February 13, 1973, Lawrence Road firefighters assisted the
Lawrenceville Fire Co. extinguish a house fire. A photograph of the
damaged home was printed in the Trenton Evening Times on Wednesday,
February 14, 1973, accompanied by the following story: “The cause
of a fire yesterday which apparently began in the basement and caused
extensive damage upstairs at the home of Charles Ellis, 71, of 2499
Main Street is under investigation today. Ellis just had entered his
car to go on an errand with his wife when the fire was discovered at
1:45 p.m. The couple escorted Mrs. Ellis' 92-year-old mother from the
house after seeing flames near the side of the building. Volunteers
from the Lawrenceville, Lawrence Road, and Slackwood fire companies
brought the blaze under control in a half-hour.”
March
31, 1973
Lawrence Road Fire Co. was again mobilized when another furniture warehouse
in Ewing Township was destroyed by flames on Saturday, March 31, 1973.
The Trenton Sunday Times Advertiser published this account on April
1, 1973: “A spectacular fire that ensnarled traffic and belched
thick black smoke that could be seen for miles yesterday destroyed the
Doolittle-Allen Furniture Co. warehouse at North Olden Avenue and Sixth
Street. Damage to the fully-stocked 35,000-square-foot building was
believed to be in excess of $1 million. The blaze, which broke out at12:21
p.m., drew more than 150 firemen and some 1,000 spectators. Several
firemen were treated for smoke inhalation but there were no major injuries.
The fire was discovered by a company employee. By the time police and
firemen arrived minutes later, the warehouse was a raging inferno. Smoke
billowed hundreds of feet into the air; flames leapt from the windows
and roof. The blaze was under control in about an hour but firemen remained
at the scene most of the afternoon watering down the rubble. ‘Every
water source in the area was put to its maximum use,’ said Prospect
Heights Fire Chief Joseph Lenarski. The fire at the warehouse was the
fourth to hit a furniture store in the North Olden Avenue area in a
little over three years. In addition to Prospect Heights, fire companies
responding to the blaze were Pennington Road, West Trenton, Slackwood,
Lawrence Road, Colonial, Union and Trenton. The Hamilton and Yardley
fire companies were on stand by duty.” A cigarette was later thought
to have caused the fire.
April
9, 1973
During the meeting held on Monday, April 9, 1973, “1st Assistant
Chief Leo Lydon reported that Chief Robert Hazen wanted volunteers for
a Fire Prevention Bureau to look into the life safety code. Jim Yates
and Pat Kent were picked.”
May
8, 1973
This item was published in the Trenton Evening Times on Tuesday, May
8, 1973: “A groundbreaking ceremony for the new $91,000 engine
room for the Lawrence Road Fire Co. will be held at 1 p.m. Sunday (May
13, 1973) at the fire companies 1252 Lawrence Road headquarters. The
facility will house three pumpers and will be ready for occupancy by
Sept. 1.”
June
28, 1973
On Thursday, June 28, 1973, Lawrence Road firefighters helped battle
a stubborn blaze on the Hendrickson Farm. The Trenton Evening Times
documented the blaze with this story on Friday, June 29, 1973: “One
of Mercer County's last dairy farmers faces a rebuilding project today
after a wind-whipped fire destroyed a large L-shaped dairy barn yesterday.
There was no loss of livestock. The fire at the farm of Frank E. Hendrickson,
75, on Cold Soil Road was discovered about 12:45 p.m. Five fire companies
responded but the barn was gutted 90 minutes later when the approximately
40 firemen had the blaze under control. Lee Hendrickson, 37, who operates
the 95-acre farm with his brother and their father, spotted the fire
while working in an adjoining building. He then chased 15 heifers and
five calves out of the barn to safety. Firemen from the Slackwood, Lawrence
Road and Lawrenceville fire companies fought the blaze. They were assisted
by volunteers from East Windsor and Washington townships who arrived
at 1:30 p.m. with water tank trucks. Water to fight the fire also was
drawn from a nearby pond and even from an above-ground swimming pool.
In addition to the barn, 600 bales of hay were lot. No firemen were
hurt while fighting the fire, although frequents rest stops were necessary
due to the hot, muggy summer weather. The cause of the blaze, which
did an estimated $50,000 damage, is unknown.”
July
5, 1973
On Thursday, July 5, 1973, the Lawrence Road Fire Co. was dispatched
to assist Slackwood firefighters at a blaze in the LeMonde Chemical
plant. A photograph was published in the Trenton Evening Times on Friday,
July 6, 1973, with the following caption: “Hoselines laid by firemen
from Trenton and Lawrence Township snake along New York Avenue to the
plant of LeMonde Chemicals Inc. where an explosion in a 1,000-gallon
vat burned an employee yesterday. Carmen Solimando, 21, was admitted
to Helene Fuld Hospital suffering multiple burns. The noon-hour blaze
burned through the roof of a two-story building in which chemical resin
was being mixed to produce a base for colored inks for the printing
trades. Cause of the flareup was not determined.”
October
22, 1973
Highlights from the minutes of the company meeting held on Monday, October
22, 1973, include: “A question was raised about a paid driver.
After discussing it on the floor, Joe Bossio made a motion that we get
a paid driver and the man be picked from our own membership. Passed.”
1974
During
1974, the Bureau of Fire Prevention of Districts 1 and 2 conducted several
inspections of schools and other buildings in the two districts. Listed
on the bureau’s letterhead were John Kubilewicz, Captain, Slackwood
Fire Co., and Patrick Kent, Captain, Lawrence Road Fire Co. James Yates
also served as an inspector for the bureau.
Sometime
during 1974, a cascade system was installed on the Ford utility truck.
January
18, 1974
Lawrence Road Lt. Richard Farletta was injured when he stepped on a
nail while fighting a house fire at 144 Johnson Avenue on Friday, January
18, 1974. The blaze, which was started when a space heater ignited bedding
material, was reported at 4:28 p.m. A 5-month-old child, Tamika M. Richardson,
who was lying on the bed that caught fire suffered burns to her head.
She was rescued by a family member. The Lawrence Road ire Co. was assisted
by the Slackwood Fire Co. and Lawrence Road Chief Ted Clemen Jr. declared
the fire under control at 5:09 p.m. Lawrence Road firefighters spent
five hours at the scene, during which time the Pennington Road Fire
Co. stood by in Lawrence Road's firehouse. More than a dozen people
were let homeless by the fire, which gutted the one-story dwelling.
February 7, 1974
At 7:06 a.m. on Thursday, February 7, 1974, the Lawrence Road Fire Co.
was dispatched mutual aid to Princeton Borough to help battle a raging
fire in Hulit’s Shoe Store on Nassau Street. According to the incident
report, Lawrence Road firefighters were on the job for seven hours and
20 minutes. The following account was published in the Trenton Evening
Times on Thursday, February 7, 1974: “Fire discovered early today
burned out Hulit's Shoes Inc. at 140 Nassau Street. The exterior walls
were still standing this morning but the entire interior of the shop
was gutted. Firefighters from six fire companies fought the blaze, cutting
through the flames and tearing down the store's interior walls to make
certain the blaze wouldn't spread to adjacent attached stores. Owner
D. Ralph Hulit Jr. was among the firefighters. He is an officer of the
Princeton Hook & Ladder Co. During the height of the blaze, huge
clouds of smoke obscured the flames and billowed across Nassau Street
towards Princeton University. Princeton Borough firefighters were joined
by other volunteers from Lawrence Township and Kingston. Slackwood Fire
Co. was on stand-by for one of the Princeton companies. The fire was
reported under control in less than 40 minutes after it was reported
at 6:11 a.m.”
February
25, 1974
Lawrence Road Firefighter Tim Kasony Sr. was sent to Helene Fuld Hospital
after he injured his left shoulder while at the scene of a fire on Monday,
February 25, 1974, at the Lawrence Hose Co. factory. Lawrence Road firefighters
were dispatched at 9:14 a.m. to assist Slackwood Fire Co. at the blaze,
according to the incident report. Two civilians suffered burns in the
fire. During the incident, Pennington Road firefighters stood by in
Lawrence Road’s firehouse. The following account was published
in the Trenton Evening Times on Monday, February 25, 1974: “Two
employees were injured battling a blaze in a tank of rubber cement in
the plant of the Lawrence Hose Co. on the Brunswick Pike today. Flames
shot 15 feet toward the ceiling of the industrial hose shop as a spark
or a short-circuit in a motor ignited the gallon-size tank. Flames spread
in a 10-square-yard area to open cans of the cement and to rubber and
rags. Lawrence Township firemen finished off the blaze that had been
held down by employees squirting more than a dozen hand extinguishers.”
April
13, 1974
At 3:16 a.m. on Saturday, April 13, 1974, Lawrence Road Fire Co. was
dispatched to assist Lawrenceville firefighters at a fire in the two-story
house at 81 Lewisville Road. The following account was published in
the Trenton Sunday Times Advertiser on April 14, 1974: “A 74-year-old
woman, her son and grandson were routed from their Lawrenceville home
yesterday morning when fire ripped through an upstairs bedroom. Police
and fire officials said the blaze began when the 19-year-old grandson
fell asleep while smoking in the 2.5-story colonial home at 81 Lewisville
Road. Some 75 men from the Lawrenceville and Lawrence Road fire companies
responded to the 3:06 a.m. alarm and had the blaze under control in
about 20 minutes. They remained on the scene until shortly after 5 a.m.
Fire and smoke damage to the frame house was confined to the bedroom,
ceiling and attic, Lawrenceville Assistant Chief Earl Wilbur said.”
May
9, 1974
An explosion and fire at the LeMonde Chemical plant at 1600 New York
Avenue prompted a response from the Slackwood and Lawrence Road fire
companies. The blast was reported at 12:21 p.m. on Thursday, May 9,
1974. The following account was published in the Trenton Evening Times
on Friday, May 10, 1974: “Officials of LeMonde Chemicals Inc. at
1600 New York Avenue are still uncertain about the cause of an explosion
that sent flames 200 feet into the air and caused a blast heard miles
away. The blast was in one of five or six chemical reactors used to
make resin for paints and sealers. The damaged reactor is the only one
outside the plant. Just before yesterday's lunch-hour explosion, workers
noticed the temperature rapidly rising in the equipment. When efforts
to stem the temperature rise failed, workers moved away from the site.
No one was injured in the explosion. The reactor was designed to blow
upwards inside of out should there be any pressure buildup. Firemen
from the Lawrence Road and Slackwood fire companies joined the Trenton
Fire Department to quickly douse the flames. They stayed to pour water
onto the equipment for about an hour. LeMonde Chemicals was the scene
of a fire and explosion last year that injured one employee and one
fireman.”
May
13, 1974
During the meeting held on Monday, May 13, 1974, mention was made that
Lawrence Road’s paid driver would start on Monday, May 20, 1974.
Patrick Kent was Lawrence Road’s first paid driver.
May
21, 1974
While fighting a fully-involved vehicle fire on Lawn Park Avenue on
Tuesday, May 21, 1974, Lawrence Road Capt. Patrick Quill “burned
his moustache off,” according to the incident report. The blaze
was reported at 8:08 p.m.
June
19, 1974
A vacant house at 161 Hillcrest Avenue was destroyed by a fast-moving
fire on the night of Wednesday, June 19, 1974. The following narrative
was written by Lawrence Road Fire Inspector James Yates: “At 10:18
p.m. the Lawrence Road Fire Co., under the direction of Chief Ted Clemen
Jr., was called to a house fire at 161 Hillcrest Avenue. The first unit
on scene reported a working house fire with the structure fully-involved.
The structure is a one-story frame dwelling approximately 20-by-40 feet.
At this time, 2nd Assistant Chief Gino Bossio called for a back-up company.
Lawrence Control dispatched the Slackwood Fire Co. to the scene. The
fire was brought under control in about 20 minutes.” During the
incident, Pennington Road Fire Co. stood by for Lawrence Road.
July
27, 1974
The residence at 144 Johnson Avenue (which was gutted by fire on January,
18, 1974) was destroyed by flames on the night of Saturday, July 27,
1974. Lawrence Road Fire Co. received the alarm at 11:29 p.m. and spent
two hours battling the blaze. Lawrence Road firefighters were sent back
to the ruins for smaller fires at 3:08 a.m. and 6:30 a.m. on Sunday,
July 28, 1974.
August
21, 1974
At 3 a.m. on Wednesday, August 21, 1974, Lawrence Road firefighters
were dispatched to help battle a blaze in a pizza shop located at Brunswick
Pike and Allen Lane. The shop, which had been undergoing renovations,
was gutted by the blaze. Lawrence Road firefighters spent 90 minutes
on the scene. The following account was published in the Trenton Evening
Times in that night’s newspaper: “An early morning fire burned
out a pizza restaurant on Route 1 and Allen Lane today. New owners of
the former Ventura's restaurant had begun renovations after purchasing
the property six weeks ago. Police said the fire was under investigation
as suspicious. The fire loss was estimated between $15,000 and $20,000.
Patrolmen Gerard Naslie and John McCormick discovered the fire in the
kitchen at 2:38 a.m. Slackwood and Lawrence Road fire companies fought
the fire. Firemen left at 4:40 a.m.”
October
11, 1974
Lawrence Road firefighters were called to assist Lawrenceville Fire
Co. at a fire involving portable classrooms at the Lawrenceville Elementary
School about 11:05 p.m. on Friday, October 11, 1974. Lawrence Road crews
were on scene for 75 minutes. The following account was published in
the Trenton Sunday Times Advertiser on October 13, 1974: “Major
damage could have been avoided if an alarm system had worked during
a Friday night fire at the Lawrenceville Elementary School, according
to the Lawrenceville Fire Co. Chief. Chief Gordon Buxton said the fire
apparently burned for three hours before firemen spotted the flames
from their firehouse across the street. The fire heavily damaged two
portable classrooms. Buxton said the heat-sensitive fire detection system
should have triggered an alarm at the Lawrence police station. However,
police said no alarm was received. Instead, Lawrenceville firemen leaving
a reception at the firehouse spotted flames breaking through a window
in the portable unit at 11:05 p.m. Firemen from three township fire
companies took 20 minutes to drown the flames.”
December
5, 1974
Lawrence Road Firefighter Charlie Commini was transported by ambulance
to Helene Fuld Medical Center after suffering smoke inhalation on the
night of Thursday, December 5, 1974, while battling a blaze that heavily
damaged the vacant dwelling at 106 Greenfield Avenue. (The same house
was firebombed on November 18, 1974). The fire was reported at 9:32
p.m. and Lawrence Road personnel were on the scene for about 90 minutes.
December
12, 1974
At 12:40 a.m. on Thursday, December 12, 1974, Lawrence Road firefighters
were dispatched to a motor vehicle accident in the 300 block of Eggerts
Crossing Road. “Auto was on its roof. Men helped rescue two trapped
occupants,” according to Lawrence Road’s incident report.
1975
January
8, 1975
Lawrence Road Firefighter Tim Kasony Sr. cut his right hand while battling
a shack fire on Fairfield Avenue on Wednesday, January 8, 1975. The
blaze, reported at 10:22 p.m., was extinguished in 20 minutes. The shack
was destroyed.
February 13, 1975
Lawrence Road 1st Assistant Chief Gino Bossio cut his left index finger
while fighting a vehicle fire near the corner of Route 1 and Allegheny
Avenue on Thursday, February 13, 1975. The alarm was transmitted at
11:07 p.m.
February
24, 1975
During the meeting held on Monday, February 24, 1975, Daniel Quill resigned
as vice president. Patrick Kent was eventually nominated to fill the
vacant position.
April
12, 1975
At 1:30 a.m. on Saturday, April 12, 1975, the Lawrence Road Fire Co.
was dispatched to assist Lawrenceville Fire Co. at a fire involving
the George House on the campus of the Lawrenceville School. The third
floor and attic of the three-story building was heavily damaged. Lawrence
Road firefighters were on the scene for four hours. Also during the
incident, Lawrence Road’s Truck 223 (the Ford utility) aided Slackwood
firefighters at a brush fire at Ohio and Valley Forge avenues. The following
account was published in the Trenton Sunday Times Advertiser on April
13, 1975: “A fire caused by a prep student smoking in his room
routed students and their headmaster from Lawrenceville's George House
dormitory early yesterday and the 19th Century dorm was heavily damaged.
No one was injured in the 1 a.m. blaze. Police said the third floor
of the dormitory, containing three rooms, was gutted, the northeast
part of the roof was burned away, and the second floor was damaged by
firemen trying to gain access to the fire. A 19-year-old student admitted
he had accidentally dropped a cigarette in a chair in his third-floor
room. Gordon Buxton, chief of Lawrenceville Fire Co., directed Lawrenceville,
Lawrence Road, Slackwood and Prospect Heights firefighters in fighting
the blaze, which took a little more than an hour to put out.”
July
7, 1975
At 3:15 a.m. on Monday, July 7, 1975, the Lawrence Road Fire Co. was
dispatched to help battle a blaze in Honey’s Chicken, a one-story
restaurant located at 1625 Princeton Avenue. The fire, which started
in a storage room, caused extensive damage. Lawrence Road firefighters
were on the scene for 2.5 hours. The following account was published
in the Trenton Evening Times on Monday, July 7, 1975: “An early-morning
fire today burned out a storage room and caused other damage inside
a Lawrence Township quick food restaurant. The blaze in the Honey Chicken
drive-in at 1525 Princeton Avenue is under investigation by Mercer County
Fire Marshal John Lee. The fire was discovered at 3 a.m. by a motorist
who reported it to Engine 9. The city alarm dispatcher notified Lawrence
police and the Slackwood and Lawrence Road fire companies were sent
to fight the blaze.”
July
14-15, 1975
Heavy rains on Monday, July 14, 1975, caused severe flooding along the
Assunpink Creek in Trenton and Pond Run in Hamilton Township. Over the
course of Monday, July 14, and Tuesday, July 15, 1975, Lawrence Road
firefighters spent more than 16 hours assisting Hamilton firefighters
pump out flooded basements.
July
16, 1975
At 3:30 a.m. on Wednesday, July 16, 1975, Lawrence Road firefighters
were dispatched to cover the Slackwood Fire Co. A short time later,
Lawrence Road firefighters were relocated to the scene of a general
alarm fire at the Trenton Civil Center in the City of Trenton. Several
dramatic photographs of the building in flames were published alongside
several different stories in the Trenton Evening Times on Wednesday,
July 16, 1975. Here are some highlights from those stories:
“A
raging general alarm fire destroyed the Trenton Civic Center early this
morning in a five-hour inferno of crashing walls and flames that leapt
100 feet into the air. The spectacular blaze threw municipal government
into a state of bureaucratic chaos as offices for 300 city employees
and irreplaceable records went up in smoke. Every fire company in the
city and units from surrounding townships – more than 200 men in
all –were brought in to try to save the 73-year-old landmark. Flames
and a storm of embers from the burning building could be seen from eight
miles away. Firemen built a giant curtain of water to stop the fire
from spreading to City Hall less than 70 feet away. The blaze was Trenton's
first general alarmer since January 1967 when an old pottery works burned.
Five firemen were treated for smoke inhalation and minor burns at area
hospitals...
“Fire
officials received the first alarm at four minutes to midnight after
a boiler worker arrived at the deserted building an smelled smoke. First-arriving
firemen found a basement full of smoke so thick it hid the actual fire.
There followed a futile 40-minute struggle to find and contain the blaze
as it spread throughout the basement. During that time, fire officials
rang second, third and fourth alarms before declaring a general alarm
– calling for all available fire apparatus. Volunteer firemen from
surrounding suburbs were called to man city firehouses and off-duty
city firemen were called back to duty. Within minutes, the volunteers
were sent to help with the actual firefighting. ‘It doesn't look
good right now,’ said Fire Chief Daniel George at about 12:45 a.m.
‘We’ve managed so far to keep it in the cellar and we're trying
to keep it out of the first floor.’
“But
the fire ate through the flooring – which had been strong enough
to support army tanks in the half-block square building's armory days.
Flames raced through the upper three floors and by 1:50 a.m. were shooting
through the skylight. Firemen raised ladders to shoot water on the flames
as the entire roof ignited and collapsed into the building with a loud
crash at 2:30 a.m., sending a fireball high into the sky... At 3:39
a.m. there were several explosions in the northeast basement corner
caused by 55-gallon drums of paint thinner and chemicals... At 4:41
a.m., the fire was under control...”
July
16, 1975
Lawrence Township agreed to purchase fire apparatus for the township’s
three fire companies during the council meeting held on Wednesday, July
16, 1975. The following account was published in the Trenton Evening
Times on Thursday, July 17, 1975: “If Lawrence Township's three
volunteer fire companies believe that Christmas comes in July that would
be understandable. Last night the township council introduced an ordinance
for a $280,000 bond issue to buy three pieces of firefighting apparatus
for the companies. The ordinance is expected to pass at the next council
meeting. Township Manager George Gottuso explained the action was taken
because of the financial problems that have affected the companies recently.
Under the plan, Lawrence Road and Slackwood fire companies would receive
new pumpers while Lawrenceville Fire Co. would get a ladder. The new
equipment will be bought separately over three years. It will replaced
three of the oldest of the 14 pieces of equipment now in use dating
back to 1950.”
July
20-23, 1975
The next major catastrophe occurred less than a week later when more
than 6 inches of rain fell on the Trenton region in a 10-hour period
on Sunday, July 20, 1975, causing wide-spreading flooding throughout
Mercer County. From 9:15 p.m. on Sunday, July 20, to 10:15 p.m. on Monday,
July 21, 1975, Lawrence Road firefighters helped evacuate residents
and pump out flooded basements. During the following two days (Tuesday,
July 22, and Wednesday, July 23, 1975) Lawrence Road members spent about
18 more hours pumping out flood waters from homes in Lawrence Township.
During the operation, Firefighter Richard Laird cut one of his fingers.
The following details were published in the Trenton Evening Times on
Monday, July 21, 1975: “...In Lawrence Township, the worst hit
area was Bakers Basin and water stood three feet deep in parts of the
Lawrence Shopping Center. The township police night shift arrived at
the police station in a dump truck which picked policemen up at their
homes... About 500 persons in Lawrence were evacuated from homes or
rescued while walking or driving in township streets. Families in Lawrence
were evacuated from the Bakers Basin area, the north end of Princeton
Pike, the Lake Drive area, Route 206 near Notre Dame, Eggerts Crossing
Village, and most of the Westgate Apartments. They were taken to shelters
at Rider Colleges and three fire stations for safety but most of the
shelters had been emptied by this morning as people were allowed to
go home. John Kubilewicz, assistant civil defense director, said the
flood was ‘worse than Doria’ in 1971. He said homes on Princeton
Pike took in water up to the rafters in the basements. Hundreds of firemen
from Monmouth, Camden, and Bucks (Pa.) counties responded to help pump
our cellars…”
August
11, 1975
During the meeting held on Monday, August 11, 1975, “Chief Ted
Clemen Jr. gave the flood emergency report. The cellar pumping took
two days and there were 75 cellars pumped. Each of the three trucks
had 40 hours service. 865 man-hours were involved. The chief commented
on some of the equipment loaned out by us and also loaned to us during
the flood. The chief also listed the equipment that was lost or that
had to be replaced during the emergency. Also mentioned were the people
evacuated during the flood.” On August 13, 1975, Secretary John
Radlinsky sent many letters of thanks to organizations that assisted
in the cleanup of Lawrence Road’s district following the flood.
Among the groups that received letters were the Lindenwold, Mount Ephraim,
Rocky Hill, Laurel Springs, and Church Road (Cherry Hill) fire companies.
August
31-September 5, 1975
The infamous “Water Crisis” of 1975 began at about 10:15 a.m.
on Sunday, August 31, 1975, when two valves malfunctioned and flooded
the Trenton water filtration plant with more than one million gallons
of water. The water was reportedly at least 12 feet deep and covered
all four of the plant’s pumps. Trenton firefighters and other mutual
aid fire companies were sent to the plant on John Fitch Parkway, near
Calhoun Street, to pump out the water.
At
10:03 p.m., Lawrence Road firefighters were called to help. According
to the incident report, Lawrence Road firefighters were on the job 12
hours. But once the water was cleared out, it was discovered that all
four pumps would need repairing and would be unable to provide the city
and its suburbs with water for several days. Water held in reserve in
the Trenton reservoir quickly was depleted. Thus, it became necessary
to pump water into Trenton from outside sources. To accomplish this,
more than 300 fire companies, rescue squads, civil defense groups and
other organizations banded together to form hose relays, including one
that stretched more than two miles down Princeton Pike in Lawrence Township.
The following account was printed in the Trenton Evening Times on Wednesday,
September 3, 1975:
“Motorized
‘umbilical cords’ drawing some 7 million gallons of water
from four neighboring systems have become the mainstay of the Trenton
area’s water supply. The four lifelines, powered by fire equipment
and manned around the clock by firemen from three states, are pumping
water from Princeton Township, Morrisville, Hamilton Square and Bordentown
into hydrants connected to Trenton’s water mains. Even with supplies
in Trenton’s reservoir shrinking to nothing, umbilical operations
have so far been sufficient to maintain at least some pressure in almost
every home served by the system.
“The
most ambitious of the four links is the 2.5-mile chain of hose and fire
trucks snaking down Princeton Pike between a Princeton Township hydrant
at Gallup Road and a Lawrence Township hydrant (part of the Trenton
system) in front of the Union Camp building at the I-95 interchange.
The chain involves (at least) 67 fire trucks spaced about 700 feet apart,
pumping at a rate in excess of 1,000 gallons per minute from Princeton
Township, which is supplied by the Elizabethtown Water Co. Rudy Fuessel,
the Slackwood fire chief who planned the operation and worked nearly
40 hours straight putting it to work, said he hopes to pump at a rate
of 2 million gallons daily when various technical difficulties are resolved.
The major problems involve leakage caused by ill-fitting couplings between
adjacent trucks in the chain, Fuessel said. The line employs trucks
from as far north as New Brunswick and as far south as northern Delaware,
he said, and much of the equipment from one fire company is incompatible
with that of another.
“The
line of trucks is being refueled at regular intervals by diesel tankers
from Nassau Oil Co. and the Mercer Metro system, according to Fuessel.
Firemen manning the line – some 300 are needed for each shift –
are bused by Mercer Metro to the Lawrence Road firehouse for rest and
food. Among the fire companies represented along the line are those
from Princeton, Lawrence, Pennington, Hopewell, East Windsor, West Windsor,
Hightstown, Hillsborough, Rocky Hill, Cherry Hill, Landsdale (Pa.),
Swedesburg (Pa.), Plainsboro, Merchantville, Hope, Washington, Kingston,
Bridgeport and from many other Bucks, Middlesex, Montgomery and Camden
county fire departments. A shorter linkage is the line of fire hoses
running from Morrisville across the Calhoun Street Bridge. That line,
which is supplying about 1.5 million gallons daily to the Trenton system,
was set up late Monday when Trenton officials first began to realize
the scope of the crisis facing the city.
“A
picture of a fireman tending the bridge linkage was distributed by the
Associated Press yesterday and has become for newspaper readers across
the country the symbol of Trenton's water crisis. Hamilton fire companies
have set up a chain of hoses about 500 feet long on Shady Lane off Route
33. Frank Peterson, assistant chief of the Colonial Fire Co., said the
line draws from the Garden State Water Co. in Hamilton Square to a hydrant
on Shady Lane that is part of the Trenton system and could bring in
as much as 2 million gallons per day. The fourth line of hoses runs
through a stretch of woods just south of the White Horse circle. There
four pumpers and 1,700 feet of hose are being used to carry another
2 million gallons daily from a Bordentown pumping station to a hydrant
off of South Broad Street near Barclay Village…”
On Friday morning, September 5, 1975, one pump at the filtration plant
was placed back into service and life slowly started returning to normal.
During the water crisis, while Lawrence Road apparatus was committed
in the water relay, the following alarms were transmitted and answered
by cover companies (Marlton Fire Co. and Beechwood Fire Department)
responding from Lawrence Road’s firehouse: a minor stove fire caused
by melted wax at 14 Lumar Road at 8:05 p.m. on Thursday, September 4;
a car fire at Lawrence and Marlboro roads at 11:09 a.m. on Friday, September
5; and a field fire on Drift Avenue at 3:06 p.m. on Friday, September
5.
October
31, 1975
Lawrence Road Firefighters James Yates, Leo Lydon and Ralph Veltri were
injured while fighting a fire at the Lawrence Shopping Center on Friday,
October 31, 1975. Lawrence Road firefighters were dispatched at 9:20
p.m. and were on the scene for four hours. During the incident, crews
from Pennington Road Fire Co. and Princeton Hook & Ladder Co. stood
by Lawrence Road’s firehouse. The Trenton Evening Times published
this account on Saturday, November 1, 1975: “At least 10 stores
in the Lawrence Shopping Center were damaged last night by a dense smoky
fire that officials believe started in a rear storage area of one of
the stores. The Lawrence Branch of the Mercer County Library was also
damaged. Three kittens in the Doctor Pet Center died of smoke inhalation.
More than a half-dozen fire companies from Lawrence, Ewing and Hamilton
fought the blaze, which began shortly before 9:15 p.m. and was under
control by 10:30 p.m. The actual fire was limited to storage areas in
the back of Stacy Savings and Loan and the Leroy clothing store, according
to fire officials. But the thick smoke rumbled though Norman’s
Gift Shop, the pet center, Quaker Curtain and Drapery, Nevius-Voorhees,
the library branch, Faber’s Fabrics, Travel Savers Inc., Grannick’s
Furs and Littman’s Jewelers. Slackwood Fire Chief Rudy Fuessel
said he believed the fire began in the storage room of the Leroy clothing
store. Fuessel said the cause of the fire was not determined but he
added he did not believe it resulted from arson. The first fire alarm
went off at 9:15 p.m. in Stacy Savings. As the smoke filtered slowly
into the other stores their alarms rang off one-by-one for the next
hour and a half. The front windows of several of the establishments
were smashed by ax-wielding firemen to let out smoke…”
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