Family Escapes Early Morning House Fire

At approximately 6:08 a.m. on Friday, October 15, 2010, the Cherry Hill Fire Department received a 9-1-1 call reporting a fire at 52 E. Riding Drive. Battalion Chief 13 (William Stallfort) was first to arrive and discovered they had heavy fire at the front door of the dwelling, extending into the residence.  Squrt 1331 arrived shortly behind the Battalion and deployed a 2½” hand line to the front door and started extinguishing the fire.  Ladder 1344 arrived and assisted with the first hand line then went into dwelling to ventilate and check for any extension of fire to the second floor.  Minor extension was found.  Squad 13 stretched a second 2½” hand line to assist in controlling and extinguishing the fire.  Crews remained on location to perform extensive overhaul and checking for extension.


The homeowners and their son awoke to the sound of their smoke detector and immediately exited the home using the back door. This fire provides a powerful reminder of the importance of working smoke detectors as the residents were faced with a wall of fire cutting off their escape through the front door.

4 Engine Co’s, 2 Ladder Co’s, 1 Rehab Unit, 1 EMS unit and 1 Battalion Chief—a total of 27 firefighters responded to this incident, gaining the upper hand in 30 minutes. The home suffered significant smoke and fire damage from the fire.

The Cherry Hill Fire Department Fire Marshal, Cherry Hill Police Detectives, Camden County Fire Marshal and Camden County Prosecutors Office are jointly investigating this fire.