WEST WILDWOOD —A house fire might very well have destroyed a single-family residence in West Wildwood, Tuesday, Aug. 12, but the lone occupant was okay, fire officials said.
In a press release issued by the City of Wildwood Fire Department, at 10:19 a.m. Tuesday, Wildwood firefighters responded to the 300 block of W. Glenwood Avenue for the report of a dwelling fire. Also responding were North Wildwood Fire Department Ladder Co. 2, Wildwood Crest Fire Department, and Rio Grande Fire Department on a first alarm.
Wildwood Fire Chief Ernie Troiano III arrived and reported smoke showing from a one-story occupied private dwelling. Wildwood Squad Co. 3 arrived quickly and began an aggressive interior attack on the fire while NWFD Ladder Co. 2 simultaneously began conducting primary searches of the dwelling. It was quickly determined that the sole occupant of the home was out of the building. The homeowner was evaluated and treated on scene by Wildwood Crest EMS for smoke inhalation.
According to WFD Deputy Chief Dan Dunn, firefighters quickly knocked down the fire, which originated in a front bedroom of the home. The fire was declared under control in 15 minutes, but damage is estimated at $250,000.
The fire is being investigated by the Cape May County Fire Marshal’s Office. The City of Wildwood Police Department also assisted on scene with traffic and crowd control. Stone Harbor Fire Department provided coverage for the island during the incident. Firefighter Rehab was provided by Middle Township Ambulance Corps. Fire units operated on the scene for about two hours.
