WHITESBORO – A husband, wife and child escaped safely, but lost their home in the 900 block Pennsylvania Avenue Jan. 10 to a fire that was reported at 6:40 p.m., according to Rio Grande Fire Chief Rich Sweeten. No injuries were reported.
The temperature was about 18 degrees at the time, but Sweeten said, “We were able to work around it (the cold).” There was no wind to fan the flames.
The home sustained extensive damage due to the blaze, he noted.
According to Sweeten, the fire was the first one in which solar panels had to be considered when quelling the blaze, since they generate small amounts of power due to street lights, moon or other factors. While not great, he said firefighters must be aware of the energy that could provide a shock.
Members of Rio Grande Fire Company were returning from the funeral of former Chief Ralph Porch earlier in the day at Seaville Methodist Cemetery. At the time of the call, Erma and Audubon Park fire companies were covering for Rio Grande.
Dispatched initially were Rio Grande and Green Creek fire companies. Tankers were summoned from Court House and Goshen. Station coverage was provided by Wildwood and Villas firefighters for the absent companies. Middle Township Rescue Squad and the American Red Cross also responded to the scene.
The Cape May County Fire Marshal and the Middle Township Police Department are investigating the origin of the blaze.
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