Marmora Chief IDs Man Who Saved 2

MARMORA – Upper Township’s Administrator and Emergency Management Director Scott Morgan briefed Committee Feb. 11 on the status of the major fire which occurred Feb. 10 on Route 9 in Marmora.
“We are focused on making sure the affected buildings are secured and do not provide any risk, nuisance to residents or those traveling on Route 9 nor an attraction to children or others,” said Morgan.
Subsequent to the meeting, the Herald asked Fire Chief Jay Newman of the Marmora Volunteer Fire Department for details regarding the fire.
“On Feb. 10, Ocean City Police Communications started receiving multiple 911 calls regarding a fire at the Chop Shop hair salon across from the Wawa on Route 9 in Marmora,” said Newman. “Marmora Volunteer Fire Company and Upper Township EMS (emergency medical services) were dispatched at 2:30 p.m. for a reported structure fire.
“While responding, a Marmora fire captain reported a large column of smoke could be seen from his house in Beesley’s Point and requested additional help from Tuckahoe Fire Company and Seaville Fire and Rescue. While responding from Somers Point, and crossing the Garden State Parkway bridge, I also noticed a large column of smoke and requested that an engine from the Ocean City Fire Department also respond.
“While en route, communications notified responders of possibly two people trapped in the second-floor apartment. Additional reports were of several explosions on the scene.
“Also, due to the large volume of 911 calls, the overflow went to Cape May County Communications. The trapped people were on the phone requesting help.”
Newman identified the “good Samaritan” who had received much press attention for efforts made to save the trapped victims.
“A ‘good Samaritan,’ James Cox of Seaville, placed a ladder in the second-floor window and removed the victims,” continued Newman. “This information was relayed to incoming firefighters.
“Upon arrival, six minutes later at 2:36 p.m., firefighters confirmed any known trapped victims had been removed, then moved into putting out the fire. They encountered a large volume of fire in the rear portion of the structure, as well as two vehicles on fire.
“Fire had also extended into both the first and second floors as well as burning off the rear deck and stairs, the only egress for the second floor.  Firefighters entered the first floor to conduct a search for any possible additional victims, and to extinguish any fire. No victims were found and the first-floor fire was put out.
“At about the same time, additional firefighters used ladders to ascend to the second floor to search for any additional possible victims and put out any fire. They found no additional victims, but a large volume of fire which they extinguished.”
Newman summed up the description of the fire by noting, “The intense fire cracked windows and melted siding on all three structures that surrounded the fire building. The fire was placed under control about an hour after the initial alarm.
“Firefighters remained on the scene for several hours putting out hot spots and assisting with the investigation. There were no reports of injuries to firefighters or civilians.
“The cause of the fire is under investigation by the Cape May County Fire Marshal’s Office.
“Units on the scene were Marmora Volunteer Fire Company, Upper Township Division of EMS and Rescue Squad, Seaville Fire and Rescue, Tuckahoe Volunteer Fire Company, Ocean City Fire Department, Cape May County Fire Marshal’s Office, and the New Jersey State Police. Somers Point Fire Department covered Marmora, Ocean View covered Seaville, and Belleplain covered Tuckahoe.”
To contact Camille Sailer, email csailer@cmcherald.com.