Camden Fire Department

Fire on Taylor Avenue
&
Federal Street
May 13, 1900

On May 13, 1900 two boys, aged 5 and 6, playing with matches, set off a conflagration that destroyed numerous homes, businesses, and public buildings in the 400 and 500 blocks of Taylor Avenue and Federal Street. The entire Camden Fire Department, former Camden volunteer firemen, and four companies of the Philadelphia Fire Department which were ferried over the river were engaged in extinguishing the blaze. Initial estimates of damages were reported as $225,000 worth incurred.

Phil Cohen
Camden NJ

The Federal Street market fire, 5-13-1900. Built in 1878 by John Read and William Scull, it occupied 414-422 Federal Street. Camden's first City Hall was erected on this same site in 1828. In 1845 the firehouse of the old Niagara/Weccacoe Fire Company was built. Both buildings wer razed to make way for the market.