Companies from 10 neighboring communities responded to the scene of a single-family dwelling fire early Monday morning.
By Matt Skoufalos | January 22, 2024
No injuries were reported in an early morning house fire Monday that ripped through a single-family home in Haddonfield.
At 5:51 a.m., fire companies were dispatched to a home in the 200 block of Chestnut Street, and arrived to discover heavy smoke emanating from the basement, Haddonfield Fire Chief Pat Gorman said.
As the fire began extending to the first floor of the home, Gorman called for a second alarm, which brought in additional companies for support.
While crews made entry into the basement, extinguishing flames on the first floor of the home, the fire continued up to the second floor.
The chief attributed the rapid spread of the fire to the balloon-frame construction of the historic home; such construction contains void spaces that can fuel fire extension, and are challenging and labor-intensive to subdue.
In total, fire companies from 10 communities — Audubon, Bellmawr, Cherry Hill, Collingswood, Haddon Heights-Barrington, Haddonfield, Lawnside, Magnolia, and Westmont — responded to the scene, as well as representatives from the local and Camden County Offices of Emergency Management.
Gorman said the fire was under control by 7:53 a.m., and crews had wrapped at the scene by 8:31 a.m.
Occupants of the home “did the right thing and exited the home quickly,” the chief said. They are being cared for by neighbors.
Camden County Chief Fire Marshal Joseph Hales said the fire was ruled accidental. An investigation is ongoing.
