Lawrence Road Fire Company

Back to May 2008 Noteworthy Incidents

TWO-ALARM STRUCTURE FIRE

Date & Time: Saturday, May 31, 2008 – 12:35 p.m.

Location: Lawrenceville Gardens, Building E, 180 Franklin Corner Road, Lawrence Twp, N.J.

Details: All three Lawrence Township fire companies were dispatched at 12:35 p.m. for a structure fire at the Lawrenceville Gardens apartment complex. Township police officers arrived on scene within minutes and reported a working fire, with bystanders reporting that a child was possibly trapped on the second floor of the fire building. Police officers attempted to enter the fire apartment but were driven back by fire and smoke. The officers then evacuated residents from the other apartments in the 12-unit building. At 12:38 p.m. Lawrenceville Fire Co. Assistant Chief Gary Wasko arrived on scene and reported heavy smoke pushing the second floor and roof of Building E with heavy fire showing inside the second-floor apartment where the child was reported to be. Lawrence Road’s Engine 22 and Slackwood’s Snorkel 21 arrived on scene at 12:41 p.m. and immediately stretched a 1.75-inch hoseline from Engine 22 to mount an aggressive interior attack and primary search. Telesquirt 23 arrived at 12:42 p.m. and laid a supply line out to a hydrant on Franklin Corner Road. Wasko requested a second alarm at 12:42 p.m., prompting Mercer County Central to dispatch Mercerville’s Engine 12-1, Princeton’s Squirt 63, Pennington Borough’s Engine 51, Princeton Junction’s Ladder Tower 44, and Enterprise’s Special Services 14. Firefighters encountered tremendous heat and endured collapsing ceilings as they battled the flames and searched for the “trapped” child. Ultimately, all searches proved negative. It was later learned that the child was not at home and was found safe elsewhere. Two firefighters were transported by ambulance to Capital Health System at Fuld hospital in Trenton for treatment of injuries suffered while battling the fire. Lawrence Road Ff. Keith Kent suffered burns to his hands, while Slackwood Ff. Chris Laird suffered back injuries when ceiling material collapsed on him. Both were released from the hospital and receiving treatment. Several other firefighters were treated on the scene for exhaustion and other minor injuries. Emergency medical services were provided on scene by Lawrence, Trenton, West Windsor and Capital Health System squads. The blaze was declared under control at 1:20 p.m., however fire crews remained on scene for several more hours overhauling and aiding investigators. At 2 p.m. Prospect Height’s Engine 31-1 (which had relocated into Lawrence Township for coverage) was special-called to the scene to help with overhaul. Ultimately, the apartment where the fire started was gutted, while three other apartments were damaged by fire, smoke or water. Investigators eventually concluded that the fire was probably started by an electrical cord pinched behind a bedroom dresser. Apparatus that operated on scene included: Telesquirt 23, Ladder Tower 23, Rescue 23, Engine 22, Rescue 22, Snorkel 21, Engine 21, Engine 12-1, Special Services 14, Engine 31-1, Ladder Tower 44, Engine 51, Squirt 63, Rehab 174 (Trenton EMS). All Lawrence Road units were back in quarters by 3:21 p.m.

Responding LRFC Personnel

Engine 22

Officer: Lt. Joseph Dlabik Jr.	Driver: Ff. Shaun Dlabik
Crew: Capt. Michael Byrd	Crew: Ff. Sean Ryan
Crew: Ff. Keith Kent	Crew: Ff. Matthew Farletta

Rescue 22

Officer: Ff. Christine Toussaint	Driver: Ff. Ryan Dlabik
Crew: Ff. Adam Rivera	Crew: Ff. Michael Guala
Crew: Ff. Charles Commini Jr.	Crew: Ff. Steven Hodgdon

Private Vehicle

Fire Police Capt. Robert Hazen

Ff. Joseph Dlabik Sr.