Shuttered Atlantic City fire company could have helped in rescues, union president says

Atlantic City firefighters could have responded more quickly to a devastating five-alarm fire Thursday is a shuttered engine company was active, the union president said.

Three buildings were affected and 85 people displaced as a result of the fire that started at Cassino Hotel, a four-story rooming house at 28 S. Georgia Ave.

If Engine 4 had been operational, "a fully staffed engine company would (have) responded to the fire (that) had trapped and fleeing occupants from a mere 3 blocks away," Atlantic City Professional Firefighters Local 8 President John Varallo Jr. wrote in a Facebook post Friday.

He called for the company — previously housed at Station 4 on California and Atlantic avenues — to be restored.

"In emergency situations such as the one we all witnessed yesterday, fractions of a second count," he wrote.

Five residents were injured in the fire, including two who tried to flee out of upper-story windows. One man was captured on video falling as he tried to climb down.

"Properly trained firefighters, responding on properly working apparatus, stationed in proper locations increase life-saving capabilities and reduce destruction of property," Varallo said.

Meanwhile, the city made quick work of the destroyed building where the fire originated. Cassino Hotel was rubble by Friday afternoon.

An overloaded power cord seems to have been the culprit, Fire Chief Scott Evans said.

"Multiple appliances were plugged into the power strip along with a hot plate," he told BreakingAC.

He declined to comment "at this time" on Varallo's statement.

Mayor Marty Small did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The Red Cross is helping relocate those who lost their homes.