At 7:05 p.m. on Saturday, May 19, Haddon Fire Company №1 responded to a reported garage fire in the rear yard of a triplex at 56 Potter Street in Haddonfield. The fire was originally reported to be in the vicinity of Snowden Avenue and Haddon Avenue (near the Acme market). Haddonfield Police quickly diverted the fire department to the actual address on Potter Street. Upon arrival, they found that the reported garage was actually an old two-story historic “barn style” garage structure which housed seven antique cars and several motorcycles. The entire second floor and roof system was engulfed in flames.
Firefighters from Haddonfield and Cherry Hill Fire Department quickly extinguished the fire utilizing Haddonfield’s compressed air foam system (C.A.F.S.) and water. While extinguishing the fire, the firefighters were able to remove and save six of the cars and one motorcycle from the blaze, all with little or no damage. One pickup truck and one motorcycle were destroyed. The fire was placed under control in less than 30 minutes and there were no reported injuries.
Westmont Fire Company assisted with overhauling the building and Lawnside Fire Company sent a Fire truck and firefighting crew to the Haddonfield Station to cover the rest of the town while Haddonfield firefighters were committed to the fire scene.
There was heavy smoke from the fire though-out the downtown Haddonfield business district. Smoke from the fire could be seen from as far away as Philadelphia and Moorestown. The cause of the fire is undetermined and is under investigation by the Camden County Prosecutors Office and the Haddonfield Police Department. The Haddonfield Police, Camden County and Cherry Hill Fire Police assisted with traffic control on Potter Street at Kings Highway and at the intersection of Ellis Street.
