No one was injured in the incident, but a family of three has been temporarily forced from its home.
By Matt Skoufalos
A Thanksgiving Day fire in the 200 block of Emerald Avenue has displaced a Haddon Township family of three, including an expectant mother in the late stages of her pregnancy.
Neighbor Maryanne Sanders said her family was gathered at her mother’s house across the street from the property when “one of the kids smelled [smoke].
“We were all here when it happened,” Sanders said.
Westmont Fire Chief John Medes said companies from Westmont and Collingswood arrived on the scene with “heavy fire showing throughout the dwelling.” Firefighters “made a fast knockdown,” Medes said, and had the fire under control within 30 minutes.
The home was unoccupied when crews arrived, Medes said. One member of the household was evacuated for smoke inhalation treatment. No emergency responder was injured in the incident.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
Crowdfunding efforts are underway to help the victims (click here), who have since been temporarily relocated with extended family. By Friday evening, more than 90 donors had raised nearly $6,000 in contributions; grocery and department store gift cards are also welcome, organizers note. For more information, contact cummingsrelief@yahoo.com.
More details to follow as we have them.
