WILDWOOD – The Fire Department, along with neighboring fire departments, responded to the scene of a fire Aug. 30 at a multifamily home to which they responded to a blaze late last year.
According to information released by the department, the Cape May County Fire Marshal’s Office conducted a fire investigation at the property and deemed that the fire was accidental, due to carelessly discarded smoking materials on the third-floor exterior deck.
“This building was the scene of a similar fire in December 2024,” a Fire Department press release said.
A first-alarm assignment was dispatched to the 200 block of West Wildwood Avenue at 4:43 p.m. after a report of a structure fire. Squad Co. 3, A Platoon, was just preparing to clear from a previous gas leak call at the time of dispatch.
Deputy 3 arrived on the scene and reported smoke showing from the third floor of the occupied multifamily dwelling. Squad Co. 3 and North Wildwood Fire Department Ladder Co. 2 quickly arrived on the scene, with Squad Co. 3 stretching a hose line and beginning the fire attack while Ladder Co. 2 initiated searches of the building for occupants.
The fire was quickly knocked down and declared under control within 10 minutes.
All of the occupants were able to leave the building safely prior to the Fire Department’s arrival.
Fire damage was confined to one unit of the house, with smoke and water damage to other units.
Rescue Co. 3 and Wildwood Crest Fire Department Tower 4 also were on the scene, while Rio Grande Fire Department Squad 72 and Stone Harbor Fire Department Engine 13 provided coverage for the island. Wildwood Crest EMS provided on-scene emergency medical services, and the Wildwood Police Department assisted with traffic and crowd control.
Fire units were at the scene for just over an hour before clearing.
