8-26-2018 - (Gloucester County) - PITMAN - 57 N. Oak Ave. - 4th Alarm Dwelling

District 28 was dispatched around 13:00hrs. for a smoke investigation in the area of 120 N. Broadway. The call was quickly upgraded to a working fire when first arriving personnel located a confirmed working fire around the corner at 57 N. Oak Ave in a 3 story balloon frame duplex. Heavy smoke was showing from both the basement and roof as crews forced entry, stretched in with two 1 3/4" handlines, and began conducting primary searches. As covers were pulled in to the scene, the fire quickly escalated to the 3rd Alarm, and reached a 4th Alarm as crews chased fire through the walls. Three firefighters were injured when the stairway they were on collapsed, requiring one to be transported to the hospital with a non life-threatening injury. Two other responders were also treated at the scene for minor injuries. There were no civilian injuries, as both units were unoccupied at the time. The cause of the fire is unknown at this time.
NJFG Joe Pipeszowski