NORTH WILDWOOD — At approximately 6:16 a.m. this morning, the North Wildwood Fire Department was dispatched by the North Wildwood Police Department for a 911 call of smoke coming from the 300 Block of East 21st Ave. Companies from North Wildwood and Wildwood Fire Departments responded.
Eng. 2 crew under the Command of Firefighter DelVicario, arrived first due. E-2 reported a 2 ½ story residential dwelling with white smoke showing from the Bravo side of the roof soffit. FF DelVicario exited the apparatus and did a 360 of the building to confirm no signs of visible fire. E338 of the Wildwood Fire Department arrived and was requested to take a wrap at the hydrant and supply E-2.
Fire Chief McClain (F-200) arrived on scene simultaneously with E-338 and established Command just past the dwelling. F-200 gave orders to stretch the 2 inch attack line to the front door. Crew forced the door and made entry into a smoke filled dwelling. Crews searched off the line for any occupants as they made a push thru the living room to a hallway where they encountered the fire. The bulk of the fire was knocked down very quickly.
A second line was deployed to the rear of the building where crew again had to force the doors. Crew entered and stretched the line to the 2nd floor. Ventilation was immediately initiated via clearing out the windows in coordination with suppression.
Radio reports from the 2nd floor crew where that they encountered high heat with zero visibility. Primary search was initiated with again negative results. Ladder Company threw ground ladders to the 2nd floor for a 2nd means of escape.
After all primary and secondary searches were completed and reported to Command, crews requested additional manpower to start removing wall and ceiling coverings to check for extension. This was very labor intensive due to the old plaster and lath construction.
Command placed the fire under control at 4:50 p.m. No injuries were reported. Utilities were shut off to the building.
The Cape May County Fire Marshal’s Office was notified and responded at 0645 hours for the investigation of the cause and origin which was deemed Undetermined at this time.
The owners arrived on scene and the building was turned over to them.
All units cleared and returned to quarters at 9:40 a.m.
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