Cold, ice create issues for firefighters during Camden fire

CAMDEN, N.J. (WTXF) - Firefighters in Camden battle brutally cold conditions as they attempted to put out a fire in Camden early Thursday morning.

Crews responded to the scene on Chestnut Street in Camden around 1:30 a.m.

Frozen hydrants created problems for firefighters and crews had to use propane torches to thaw the hydrants before they could put water on the fire.

That water then made it's way to the ground where it froze almost immediately creating hazardous conditions for firefighters and local traffic.

FOX 29's Steve Keeley spoke with firefighters as their jackets were frozen over with ice.

Fire officials tell FOX 29 they suspect the fire started in the two vacant buildings as a result of a squatter attempting to keep warm, but the cause remains under investigation.