August 26, 2026: 6th Annual Fire Prevention Open House
August 23, 2026: Now Hiring Full-Time Emergency Medical Technicians
December 4, 2025: Department Mourns the Loss of a Long Time Member - Walter L. Haines
October 23, 2025: Safety Tips and Regulations on Outdoor Fire Pits & Fireplaces
September 6, 2025: 2025 Touch A Truck Event
Willingboro Firefighters Battle Another House Fire
By Firefighter Mark Robertson Sr.
February 13, 2008
At 12:01 pm on Tuesday, February 12th, Willingboro Firefighters were called to 24 Hadley Lane for a reported house fire. As the A Platoon was leaving the station in Engine 1613 they, along with Chief of Department Burnett, noticed a column of smoke from the area of Hadley Lane. Chief Burnett arrived in minutes to find a two story home with heavy fire showing from the rear of the home, and reports of an elderly woman trapped inside.
Engine 1613 arrived right behind Chief Burnett and connected to a hydrant as the crew pulled a 2" handline. Firefighters Friddell and Fresco entered the home to find heavy smoke, fire, and heat on the first floor. In addition to these conditions, they discovered a broken gas line that was on fire. Chief Burnett quickly called for a 2nd alarm as Captain Sitzenstock pulled a 1 ¾" handline to back-up the crew that was already in the house. Firefighter Clark was breaking windows of the home to help release the smoke, heat, and fire. It was quickly determined that nobody was trapped in the home.
As the crews pushed further into the home they found a rear addition to the home was heavily involved in fire as well as the kitchen, laundry room, and family room. Additional crews from Willingboro and surrounding towns began to arrive on scene 10 minutes after the arrival of Engine 1613. These crews would have to deploy a 2 ½" "blitz" line and a second 1 ¾" handline to completely extinguish the fire. Several of these crews were also used to break windows to ventilate the smoke and heat from the home, and to check for hidden fire on the second floor.
Chief Burnett placed the fire under control at 12:46 pm. Crews from Hainesport and Delran were on stand-by in Willingboro's firehouse in case of other emergencies in the town. One resident was transported to the hospital for smoke inhalation by Willingboro EMS. Several crews remained on scene until 5 pm to assist with the investigation and to remove burned debris from the home. The American Red Cross was called to assist the residents with housing, and a board-up company was called to secure the home.
The fire is being investigated by the Willingboro Fire Official's Office, the Burlington County Fire Marshal's Office, and the Willingboro Police Department. There is no official cause to the fire at this time.
Chief 1600, Engine 1613, Ladder 1615, Cascade 1619, Utility 1616, Fire Police 1618, FI 161 and 162, Willingboro EMS 1692, 1693, and 1694
Mutual Aid:
Mount Laurel Quint 3614 and Battalion Chiefs 3604 and 3620, Delran Engine 2311 and Deputy Chief 2310, Westampton Engine 2721, Chief 2700, and Fire Police 2729, Burlington Township Squirt 3014, Burlington City Ladder 9035, RIT 9061, and Deputy Chief 9001, Cinnaminson RIT 2011, Moorestown RIT 3111 and Chief 3100, Beverly Engine 1222, Utility 1229, and Utility 1218, Delanco Cascade 1117, Burlington County Fire Marshal's Office, and Virtua Paramedic Unit 32
A column of smoke could be seen as firefighters respond to Hadley Lane
Heavy fire showing from the rear of the home
A addition on the rear of the home is heavily involved in fire.
Rear of the home fully involved in fire
Captain Sitzenstock and Firefighter Clark operate a back-up hoseline to assist the crew already inside.
Heavy smoke from the front of the home.
Firefighter Fresco pulls a 2 1/2" "blitz" line as Captain Sitzenstock operates a 1 3/4" handline
Firefighter Friddell breaking windows to help ventilate the home.
The rear of the home after the fire was extinguished.
Firefighter Blackwell hosing down smoldering materials that were removed from the home.
