Firefighters Find Body In Burning Millbrook Park Home

Willingboro Firefighters responded to a not so routine fire at a home in Millbrook Park on January 19th. At 9:28 am firefighters were called to 60 Maplewick Lane for a reported house fire. Engine 1613 responded and was advised that police on location were reporting a house well involved in fire. The first arriving ambulance confirmed this report and the crew of 1613 noticed a large column of smoke while on JFK Way. Captain Sitzenstock notified the county's 911 center of the column and requested "All Companies In Service".

Engine 1613 arrived at 9:31 am and connected their 5" hose to a hydrant and proceeded to the home. Captain Sitzenstock reported heavy fire coming from the front of the home. Firefighters E. O'Donnell and Robertson entered the home with a 2" handline. The firefighters encountered blinding conditions and heavy heat in the hallway as they moved toward the master bedroom which was consumed in fire. Firefighter Fresco proceeded around the outside of the home breaking windows to release trapped smoke and heat in an attempt to improve the conditions for the firefighters that were inside the home.

Within minutes firefighters were able to extinguish the fire that was in the master bedroom and bathroom. Firefighter Fresco and an additional crew from Beverly made a search of the entire home looking for any victims. Firefighter's O'Donnell and Robertson were checking the bedroom for hidden fire and ensuring all other fire was extinguished in the home. During this part of their operation firefighters then noticed a badly burned body in the master bedroom.

The firefighter's advised Captain Sitzenstock of their discovery, who then relayed the information to Chief of Department Burnett who was on scene as the Command Officer. Chief Burnett advised the police officers that were on location, and all firefighters were then pulled out of the home. Crews from Delran were used to overhaul parts of the home from the exterior to ensure there was no hidden fire. Chief Burnett placed the fire under control at 9:59 am.

Due to the nature of the incident an extensive investigation was started and went well into the evening. Representatives from the Willingboro Police Department's Detective Bureau, Willingboro Township Fire Official's Office, Burlington and Camden County Fire Marshal's Offices, and the Burlington County Prosecutor's Office were all on scene for the investigation. Fire department personnel and equipment were on scene until late into the evening providing lighting for the investigation.

No other occupants were home at the time of the fire, and no firefighters were injured while battling the blaze. The incident was handled by 1st alarm due companies and the town was covered by firefighters from Delanco and Riverside in case there were other incidents in town at the time of the fire. There is no cause of the fire or the death of the body that was found in the home.