UPDATE: Whitesboro Fire Leaves Man Dead

Video by Robert Newkirk.
WHITESBORO – A fire call went out at 10:02 p.m. Nov. 18 with reports of heavy flames, smoke and possible entrapment. The structure fire was within a house located at 1504 Route 9 South in Whitesboro.
Rio Grande Fire Co., Cape May County Fire Dept. and Green Creek Fire Dept. responded. Erma Fire Dept. was the rapid intervention team.
During suppression efforts, Rio Grande Fire personnel retrieved the victim, Stephen G. Grison, 71, just inside of the residence near the front door, according to a release. The victim was transported to Cape Regional Medical Center where he was later pronounced deceased.
A subsequent investigation by the Major Crimes Unit of the Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office, Detectives from the Middle Township Police Department, the State Fire Marshall’s Office and the Cape May County Fire Marshal’s Office was conducted. It was learned that the fire originated in the kitchen area of the residence. The cause of the fire is undetermined and is presently under investigation. An autopsy by the Medical Examiner’s Office was scheduled later today, Nov. 19 at Shore Memorial Hospital.
“An exceptional effort was made to rescue the gentleman and extinguish the fire,” said Rio Grande Chief Richard Sweeten. “Unfortunately, sometimes things are just out of our control.”
At the time the call came in, Rio Grande Fire Co. had one engine with firefighters battling another fire in North Wildwood.
“It’s a rarity to have two structure fires at the same time,” Sweeten said. “It’s even rarer to have two fatals.”
The fire is currently under investigation by the Cape May County Fire Marshal and Arson Task Force.