Well it is time for the Gloucester City History in Photos Persons of the Month for July 2025, and this time we honor the six people we lost on July 4th, 2002, Joe Hargesheimer said.
On that evening, firefighters were called to a dwelling fire on the corner of Broadway and Mercer Street in Gloucester City. After they arrived they discovered that three little girls were still in the home.
“Without hesitation the firefighters entered the home trying to find three Slack sisters, Alexandra, Claudia and Colletta. Sadly, the home collapsed and ended the lives of not only the three children, but three firefighter heroes that gave their lives in an attempt to save them,” Hargesheimer said.
“Those brave men – Firefighter Thomas Stewart of the Gloucester City Fire Department, Mount Ephraim Fire Chief James Sylvester and Camden County Fire Marshall and MEFD firefighter John West – are true examples of what it means to be a firefighter. There is a monument dedicated to them in front of GCFD headquarters at King and Market streets.
“While we celebrated the Fourth of July last week, we hope people took time to remember the three little girls that perished in the fire and the three brave men who willingly risked and lost their lives trying to save them.
“If you get a chance, stop by the memorial, give thanks and leave a flower, I am sure the families of those lost and the firefighters working in the building would appreciate that.
The Gloucester City Fire Department issued the following statement last week:
“This weekend we celebrate our Independence. In Gloucester City and Mount Ephraim it is also a weekend of reflecting and remembering the events that happened 23 years ago.
“Everyday, but especially this weekend, we remember the true heroes that are Thomas G. Stewart III from our own Gloucester City Fire Department, as well as John D. West and James E. Sylvester of the Mount Ephraim Fire Department.
“They gave the ultimate sacrifice trying to save three little girls (five-year-old Alexandra and three-year-old twins Collette and Claudia Slack), who we also remember on this day.”
