Feds Begin Probe Of Latest In String Of Camden, NJ Multi-Alarm Blazes
CAMDEN, N.J. (CBS) -- City and federal officials vow to keep working until they know what started Sunday's latest major industrial fire in Camden, NJ.
The six-alarm fire on Sunday was the third similar fire in Camden this month (see related story).
It destroyed a vacant building at 17th and Federal Streets that was once home to the Concorde Chemical Company.
A team of about 20 people from the US Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms ("ATF") has been brought in to augment local investigators, and ATF regional leader Matthew Horace says there's a lot to be done.
"First, the building needs to be secured so that our people can get in there and start going through the building and going through the remains in a way that's safe to them and safe to the public," he told reporters today. "At that time our on-site investigation will begin, so there's no time frame. The team will be here until a cause and origin can be determined."
Horace says they're starting their probe with the most recent fire because that's when they we called in (see related story).
The police have cataloged the city's vacant buildings and have enhanced patrols near those thought to be at risk.
Reported by John Ostapkovich, KYW Newsradio; Robin Reiger, CBS 3
