Early Morning Fire Damages Pennypacker Park Home

Willingboro Firefighters were called to 34 Peachfield Lane at 1:04 AM on December 30th for the report of a fire in the wall. Engine 1613 arrived on location in 5 minutes and Captain Gardner reported heaving smoke coming for a second floor window. Captain Gardner checked the entire perimeter of the home from the outside to assess the fire conditions as his crew prepared to enter the structure. The driver of Engine 1613, Firefighter Bennett, secured a 5" hose to a hydrant at a neighboring home with the assistance of Willingboro Police officers.

Firefighters Bowe, D. O'Donnell, and LeHuquet entered the home with a 2" handline. As these firefighters were making their way upstairs, a flashover occurred in an upstairs bedroom. A flashover occurs when all of the materials in an area ignite at the same time due to heavy heat conditions. Flashover is one of the most dangerous phenomenons in the fire service. With the room now totally engulfed in fire, the crew started to extinguish the fire and check for hidden fire in the attic of the home.

Chief of Department Burnett arrived on scene and assumed command of the incident. Captain Gardner directed crews from Delran and Beverly to take a 1 3/4" handline to the rear of the home to start extinguishing fire that was burning in the attic. With all three crews working together under heavy fire conditions they were able to quickly extinguish the fire. Chief Burnett was able to place the fire under control at 1:33 AM.

Once the fire was under control, a crew from Mount Laurel was sent inside to check for any remaining hidden fire. Cascade 1619 was used to warm the crews that had been fighting the fire due to the very cold temperatures. No civilians or firefighters were injured as a result of the fire. All power and water utilities were disconnected from the home and several broken windows were covered with wood for security purposes. The fire does not appear to be suspicious and is being investigated by the Burlington County and NJ State Fire Marshal's Offices. All units were clear from the scene at 5 AM.