pennsauken fire hydrant

A hose runs from a fire hydrant through two windows of a Honda SUV in Pennsauken after crews responded to a house fire on May 27, 2015. (Photo courtesy of Ted Aurig)

(Photo courtesy of Ted Aurig)

PENNSAUKEN TWP. -- It's 4:17 a.m. and four fire fighters need to make snap decisions. A vacant house along Sherwood Terrace is on fire, but occupants may be inside, neighbors relayed.

The fire hydrant that first responders need to hook their hose up to is blocked by a parked vehicle. What do you do?

"We exhausted the alternatives," Pennsauken fire Chief Jospeh Palumbo said of finding a water source during the "critical time period" when the first crews on scene arrive and get to work.

Palumbo, who arrived on scene shortly after the first fire truck arrived, said they were "left with no choice" but no break the rear driver's side and front passenger's side windows on a black Honda SUV as to get a hose from the hydrant to the engine.

The possible incendiary fire may have been sparked by squatters, the chief said, adding that the second closest fire hydrant was also blocked by another parked vehicle and trash cans.

"If anybody was parked near a fire hydrant, we would be obligated to ticket them," Pennsauken police Sgt. Chris Sulzbach said Wednesday of police protocol.

The sergeant added that the police department hadn't heard from any neighbors near the scene regarding the response and towing of vehicles only occurs if it has been in the same spot for awhile.

When asked about running the hose over or under the car, Palumbo said that the vehicle's exhaust system underneath could have compromised the line and a 90-degree angle formed by running the hose over the roof would have restricted water flow.

"This person made the conscious decision to park in front of the fire hydrant. Windows can be replaced; people cannot," the chief said.

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Greg Adomaitis may be reached at gadomaitis@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @GregAdomaitis. Find the South Jersey Times on Facebook.