2 Alarm Fire Destroys Willingboro Home

Willingboro Firefighters responded to 33 Shetland Lane on Friday, January 18 at 4:16 p.m. for a house fire. Chief of Department Anthony Burnett arrived and found a 2 story house with heavy smoke and fire showing. He immediately requested a full first alarm assignment and an "All Hands" designation.

The department's C Platoon led by Captain Gardner pulled a 2" handline and attempted to enter the structure. Firefighter's Bowe and O'Donnell attempted to enter the home to extinguish the fire. With the large amount of fire and heat on the first and second floors they were unable to advance into the home. A second alarm was sounded by Chief Burnett at 4:26 p.m. to provide additional firefighters to battle the blaze.

As additional crews arrived on scene a 2 ½" and two 1 ¾" handlines were pulled from 1613 in an attempt to extinguish the fire. Departments from several towns responded to the incident and assisted with extinguishing the fire. The fire was placed under control by Chief Burnett at 5:29 p.m.

One adult from the home was taken to the hospital with smoke inhalation. Two firefighters were injured during the fire. A firefighter from Beverly fell from a ladder, but was not seriously injured from the fall. A Willingboro firefighter suffered a knee injury while restoring hose after the fire was extinguished.

The fire is being investigated by the Willingboro Township Fire Official's Office with assistance from the Burlington County Fire Marshal. Crews from Delanco And Delran were on standby at Willingboro Fire Headquarters in case of any other emergencies in town. All crews were clear from the scene at 8:37 p.m.