Families Displaced In 2 Gloucester Township House Fires: Police

GLOUCESTER TOWNSHIP, NJ — Two families were displaced by a pair of fires that took place in Gloucester Township over the last three days, according to police.

Two cats were killed in a fire that broke out at a home on Oakmont Road in the Blackwood section of the township early Monday morning, police said.

The four human occupants of the home were not injured, but the family was displaced, according to Gloucester Township police. They were provided housing with the help of the American Red Cross.

First responders responded to the scene of this fire at about 12:41 Monday morning. They found heavy smoke emanating from the home. Police helped evacuate the residents and immediate neighbors.

The fire was quickly extinguished, and contained to the source by Gloucester Township Fire Department Stations 81, 83, 84, 86, and 88, along with units from Pine Hill and Runnemede fire departments.

While this incident does not appear to be suspicious at this time, it is being investigated by Gloucester Township police, Gloucester Township Fire Department Station 84 and the Camden County Fire Marshal.

A firefighter from Pine Hill was injured while responding to the scene of a fire on Torrington Drive in the Erial section of the township at about 10:14 a.m. Friday, according to police.

The firefighter suffered minor burns to his arm and was treated at a nearby hospital, police said.
Two adults and two children who lived in the house were displaced, and received help from the American Red Cross, police said.

When first responders arrived, they found that the house had been fully engulfed in flames, police said. As the firefighters arrived, police ensured that the residents were evacuated.

Gloucester Township Fire Department Stations 81, 86, and 88 along with Lindenwold, Pine Hill and Winslow fire departments, arrived and quickly gained control of the fire, police said.

This incident also doesn’t appear to be suspicious, but is under investigation by Gloucester Township police, Gloucester Township Fire Department Station 86 and the Camden County Fire Marshal.

“This is a reminder to check your fire suppression systems and alert/audible alarm systems to ensure they are operational,” police said in both statements. “Smoke alarms are a key part of any fire escape plan. When there is smoke, there is fire, which can spread quickly. Working smoke alarms give you early warning, so you can get outside quickly.”