VEHICLE FIRE

993 Lawrence Road,
Lawrence Township

At 11:54 p.m. on Friday, November 8, 2002, Lawrence Road and Slackwood fire companies were toned out for car fire with a possible exposure problem at 993 Lawrence Road, between Brearly and Meadowbrook avenues.

Rescue 22 responded at 11:57 p.m. with Assistant Chief Wayne Hannon in command and Ff. Joseph Dlabik Sr. driving. Lt. Shaun Dlabik, Ff. Joseph Dlabik Jr., and Ff. Charles Commini were aboard as the crew.

When Rescue 22 reached the scene at 11:58 p.m., the passenger compartment of a Mitsubishi Eclipse was fully-involved with flames.

Rescue 22’s crew immediately stretched a 1.75-inch hoseline, with Joseph Dlabik Jr. on the nozzle.

Meanwhile, Engine 21-1 responded at 11:58 p.m., followed by Engine 22 at 11:59 p.m. Both engines arrived at 11:59 p.m. Engine 22 was commanded by Rescue Capt. Andrew Fosina, driven by Ff. Ryan Quill, and crewed by Ff. Michael Ratcliffe.

Lt. Chris Pangaldi and Ff. Matt Farletta were at the Brunswick Circle when the alarm was transmitted. They responded directly to the scene in Pangaldi’s truck and helped Joseph Dlabik Sr. connect a 3-inch hoseline to supply Rescue 22 with Engine 22’s tank water.

The flames were quickly knocked down and Hannon put the blaze under control at midnight.

Joseph Dlabik Jr. then used the Holmatro Combi-Tool from Rescue 22 to pop open the car’s hood. Commini then cut the vehicle’s battery cables. The interior of the Eclipse was completely destroyed by the blaze. Dlabik continued to hose down the charred seats and dashboard for sometime before the car cooled.

Deputy Chief Richard Farletta, who responded to the scene in Car 22-1 (without signing on radio) investigated and concluded the fire was possibly started by a pinched wire supplying power to the car’s fog lights.

Engine 21-1 was recalled at 12:08 a.m. Engine 22 remained on scene until 12:13 a.m., refilled its tank at a hydrant on Marlboro Road, and was back in quarters at Station 22 by 12:20 a.m. Rescue 22 remained on location until 12:38 a.m. and was back at the firehouse by 12:42 a.m.