1 Dead, 25 Displaced In South Jersey Senior Housing Fire

BURLINGTON CITY, NJ — A weekend fire at a senior citizen housing development in Burlington left one resident dead and dozens more without a home, authorities said.

At around 11:36 a.m. on Saturday, the City of Burlington Police Department responded to the J. Frank Budd Building, a 35-unit senior citizen housing development, for the reported fire, Burlington police said.

A heavy smoke condition was reported coming from the third floor of the building, police said, with responding officers evacuating residents while firefighters extinguished the fire “within minutes” inside a third-floor apartment.

The resident of the apartment was found dead inside the unit, police said. Another resident was treated for non life-threatening injuries.

“The quick actions of the firefighters on scene working alongside our officers and other first responders, no doubt, saved lives and limited the damage to the building during this tragic incident,” said Chief John Fine.

Officials are still investigating the incident, but police don’t believe foul play is a factor.

Identification of the victim was not immediately available Monday morning pending family notification.

City of Burlington Police Detectives and Burlington County Prosecutor’s Office Assisted at the scene, as well as investigators from the City of Burlington, County of Burlington and the State of New Jersey Fire Marshal's Offices.

The fire displaced approximately 25 residents, police said, with assistance and housing being offered to those affected by the American Red Cross, County of Burlington Department of Human Services, City of Burlington Office of Emergency Management and Volunteers of America of Delaware Valley.

A Response Team from Volunteers of America will be following up with residents on Monday, officials said. Those who have a loved one displaced in the fire may contact the Volunteers of America, Burlington for assistance at 856-261-0371 or Burlington police at 609-386-0262.