Station Two, Ventnor Height's only fire station, was torn down Thursday, making way for the city to build a new one in its place.
"I just see progress," said Fire Chief Mike Cahill after returning to look at the empty Wellington Avenue site Friday.
The city awarded a $3.1 million contract to Fabbri Builders in March to build a new station in the old one's footprint, which officials say will be safer for both firefighters and their equipment. Cahill, who had reevaluated the old station when he first became Chief, said the old building's wood frame construction had serious structural issues and was not up to current standards.
The old building also did not have living arrangements for firefighters that were above the flood plain and sometimes had to be evacuated in high winds.
Even though their fire station on New Haven Avenue has remained open, Cahill said having a fire station in Ventnor Heights is essential.