2-23-2012(Gloucester County)WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP- 195 Fries Mill Rd-2nd Alarm Apartment
PRESS RELEASE
WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP FIRE DEPARTMENT
The Washington Township Fire Department was dispatched for a dwelling fire at the Birches Apartments, 100 building at 2012 hours Thursday evening. Upon arrival crews found a heavy smoke condition from the roof and a fire condition on the second floor. Ladder 1026 was first due and went into service quickly with a 1.75 inch handline after getting confirmation that everyone was out. They were backed up by a crew from Engine 1031. Rescue 1038 arriving seconds later was assigned to ensure the entire building was evacuated as the fire self ventilated from the B side attic vent. A heavy smoke condition was pushing down the length of the building giving indication the fire was traveling. Additional crews threw ladders to the second floor and to the roof and opened it up. The initial attack crew found the seat of the fire quickly, knocked it down, and began pulling the ceiling to reach the attic fire. They were able to knock that down as well before it spread down the roof line. At the onset, a 2nd alarm had been struck and an additional ladder from 29-1 had been special called into the job. The fire was placed under control in 20 minutes and all units were clear by approximately 2200 hours. There were no civilian or firefighter injuries. In total, 1 apartment was gutted, 2 others were damaged. There were 41 firefighters on scene from WTFD. The exact cause of the fire is still under investigation by the WTFD Fire Investigation Unit. If there are any questions regarding this press release or the fire department activity during this incident, please contact Chief John Hoffman at 856-863-4011.
--Photos NJFG Ted Aurig
Read MoreWASHINGTON TOWNSHIP FIRE DEPARTMENT
The Washington Township Fire Department was dispatched for a dwelling fire at the Birches Apartments, 100 building at 2012 hours Thursday evening. Upon arrival crews found a heavy smoke condition from the roof and a fire condition on the second floor. Ladder 1026 was first due and went into service quickly with a 1.75 inch handline after getting confirmation that everyone was out. They were backed up by a crew from Engine 1031. Rescue 1038 arriving seconds later was assigned to ensure the entire building was evacuated as the fire self ventilated from the B side attic vent. A heavy smoke condition was pushing down the length of the building giving indication the fire was traveling. Additional crews threw ladders to the second floor and to the roof and opened it up. The initial attack crew found the seat of the fire quickly, knocked it down, and began pulling the ceiling to reach the attic fire. They were able to knock that down as well before it spread down the roof line. At the onset, a 2nd alarm had been struck and an additional ladder from 29-1 had been special called into the job. The fire was placed under control in 20 minutes and all units were clear by approximately 2200 hours. There were no civilian or firefighter injuries. In total, 1 apartment was gutted, 2 others were damaged. There were 41 firefighters on scene from WTFD. The exact cause of the fire is still under investigation by the WTFD Fire Investigation Unit. If there are any questions regarding this press release or the fire department activity during this incident, please contact Chief John Hoffman at 856-863-4011.
--Photos NJFG Ted Aurig
