ERMA — Arson is the suspected cause of a structure fire in an abandoned farm house on Heather Lane, according to Fire Chief Warner Muller.
Erma, Villas and Town Bank received the call around 3:50 p.m. on Saturday, Jan 24. When firefighters arrived, the two-story farm house was fully engulfed. According to Muller, firefighters went into defensive operations as the second floor collapsed minutes after they arrived.
Muller estimates the home to be at least 100 years old and reported it has been abandoned for about 20 years. The street had no fire hydrants. “We had to bring in all the water we used,” said Muller.
The fire also extended into the brush surrounding the farm house prompting Muller to call State Forest Fire to assist putting out the one acre brush fire.
Lower Township Public Works was at the scene with a backhoe sifting through the rubble so investigators could determine if anyone was inside the home and didn’t get out.
According to Muller, no injuries were reported at the scene.
The fire is under investigation by Lower Twp Police Detectives and Cape May County Fire Marshal’s Office jointly.
Contact Scheeler at: (609) 404-6515 or hscheeler@cmcherald.com
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