Family, firefighters react to multi-alarm fire at Franklin lumberyard

FRANKLIN, N.J. (WTXF) - When the smoke cleared, the damage, all visible.

A lumber business started by the Colucci family here in Franklin Township is wrecked by fire.

Brandon Colucci said, "My dad called me and said the lumber yard is on fire. I got video and pictures and I'm like what the heck happened."

The fire, called in around 2:30 p.m., smoke billowing from the 50,000 square foot building along Delsea Drive.

"The first units were met by heavy smoke conditions we tried to make an indoor attack but the heavy fire conditions, too dangerous, they had to back out this was a deep-seated fire," Chief Anthony Baldosaro with Malaga Volunteer Fire Co. said.

Adding to the difficulty, the nearest hydrant was 1000 feet away.

"They laid a line from there and another crew from Malaga Lake 3500 feet away to give us positive water supply.

"A lot of tanks were called in from the county and surrounding areas so there were four counties here."

More than 200 firefighters, from 25 companies were on the scene, on this sultry summer afternoon, with near 90 degree Temps and high humidity and heat from the fire.

"It took a toll on a few guys with heat exhaustion two were transported to the hospital," Chief Baldosaro said.

Volunteer firefighter Lou Tarquinio said, "Standing in an oven being in an oven that's exactly what it feels like, there's no falling back no giving up we do what we got to do it's our job."

Many firefighters taking short breaks, trying to stay hydrated and cool down. It took close to four hours before it was under control.

"I drove by here at 11:30 in the morning it was fine now look at it," Colucci said.