Vacant Home Damaged By Fire In Garfield Park North

Willingboro Firefighters, along with support from neighboring fire departments, extinguished a fire in a vacant home on the morning of May 10th. The department was dispatched at 9:36 am to 84 Nottingham Drive after a police officer on patrol noticed smoke in the area of Memorial Junior High School. The officer investigated further and found fire coming from the home. Deputy Chief Sitzenstock arrived at 9:37 am and confirmed that smoke and fire were coming from the home. He requested "All Companies In Service", signifying a major fire.

Engine 1613 arrived two minutes later and the crew pulled a 1-3/4" hose line to the front door of the home. The crew was advised that the home had been vacant for several years. Firefighters Bennett and Riley forced open the front door and proceeded to the location of the fire, while firefighter Rydarowski secured a 5" supply hose to a nearby hydrant. Captain Gardner entered the home and proceeded to the area of the fire to assist with extinguishment and conducting a search.

Westampton Deputy Chief 2701 arrived on scene and became the Operations Chief, and Engine 2723 pulled a second 1 3/4" hose line to the location of the fire. Both crews used hand tools to access the area that was on fire, which exposed the heavy fire conditions in the home. Chief Burnett arrived and assisted Deputy Chief Sitzenstock. The firefighters were able to quickly contain the fire and search the upper floor of the home. Deputy Chief Sitzenstock placed the fire under control at 9:56 am.

Firefighters from Burlington Township and Mount Laurel were used to assist with checking the remainder of the home, since it was reported that squatters occasionally occupy the home. Nobody was found in the home, and no firefighters were injured while battling the blaze. An investigation into the cause of the fire is being conducted by the Burlington County and NJ State Fire Marshals Offices and the Willingboro Police Department Detective Unit. All personnel were available from the scene at 12:43 pm.