Wednesday, November 11, 2009

11.11.09 - Two Alarm Fire Critically Injures 2 & Displaces 20 People

At just after 0200 am, Cherry Hill Firefightetrs responded to a reported building fire at the Woods II development, located on Hickory Circle, near the Kresson & Evesham Roads intersection. Dispatchers advised responders they received numerous reports of fire with people trapped in a first floor apartment. First arriving crews reported heavy fire in the first floor apartments, extending to the second floor and roof area. One fire victim had self-extricated prior to fire department arrival. As additional crews arrived, large fire attack lines were stretched to both floors. Interior search crews located a fire victim in the first floor unit and rescued her. Crews were assisted by Cherry Hill Police with finishing the evacuation of the building. Both victims were treated on scene by Cherry Hill Fire Department EMTs and transported to Cooper Hospital in Camden.

Firefighters advanced their mulitple attack lines on this rapidly advancing fire. Additional mutual aid units were called to assist with the amount of evacuations necessary in the complex. The original companies on location made good progress on the advancing fire, by making aggressive stands at strategic points in the building. The additional personnel assisted with extensive overhaul of the four (4) units on fire, checking for any fire extension. All visible fire was extinguished in approximately 40 minutes.

All evacuated residents were relocated to nearby units while awaiting the Red Cross for temporary lodging. Ten (10) displaced residents were being placed at the Holiday Inn temporarily. The other residents made their own arrangements for lodging.

The intial investigation found the fire to have originated in a bedroom of a first floor unit, but the cause remains under investigation by the Cherry Hill Fire Marshal's office with the assitance of the Camden County Fire Marshal's office. The two injuried ciivilians from the fire, originally transported to Cooper Hospital in Camden, and transferred to Temple Hospital in Philadelphia. No emergency personnel were injured at this incident.