The abandoned factory burned for hours and flames engulfed nearby homes.
Several vehicles also burned, and propane tanks exploded as flames surrounded them.
At least three firefighters were hospitalized to be checked for heat exhaustion.
So many questions remain. What caused this inferno? What fueled it? It's not clear who, if anyone, owns the primary property, an old industrial warehouse site.
Other questions: did layoffs and short staffing of Camden's fire department hamper efforts to battle the blaze. Critical fittings were missing from some of the fire hydrants, making them inoperable. What impact did that have?
Meantime, investigators remain on the scene looking for the case of the blaze. They are considering all the possibilities, including arson.
This afternoon, fire crews continued to pour water on the ruins of the abandoned warehouse while fire officials try to figure out the cause of the massive, devastating blaze.
Darnell Shakes family's home was spared, but they have no electricity and wonder how this neighborhood will ever rebuild.
"We're just pulling together now," Shakes told Action News. "That's all we can do."
The Red Cross believes that about 11 of the houses damaged in the fire were occupied. By this morning, some had already been torn down. Others may be repairable, but owners say they had crews board up the windows Friday, for fear of break-ins.
Justo Arroyo's home is still standing, but smoke and water damage are forcing him to leave at least for now.
"I don't know what I am going to do now. I never had anything like this happen before," he said. "This morning I wasn't here yet. I had to stay at my parents' house with my kids."
He told Action News that authorities "noticed a guy going into the alleyway trying to take one of the boards down to break into my house. Unfortunately, this is Camden. What are you going to do?"
The Red Cross is now providing shelter for 30 adults and 21 children at a nearby hotel. The city of Camden is providing services to help them cope with losing everything they owned.
"We realize they have experienced a very traumatic event in their lives. And they are being supported by all of these agencies in collaboration during this difficult time for our city and this difficult time in the lives of our families," said Mayor Dana Redd.
