FLORENCE: Early morning blaze injures fireman

The fire is under investigation by Florence Township Fire Marshal Brian Richardson and does not appear to be suspicious at this time

By Amy Batista, Special Writer
   FLORENCE — A Feb. 9 early morning fire on Kings Court displaced the homeowners and left a firefighter injured, officials said.
   ”There was one injury reported,” said Florence Fire Department Chief Keith Scully, adding one of his firefighters had minor burns.
   ”He got slight burns on the left ear and was evaluated on scene by BLS and refused (treatment) at that time,” Chief Scully said. “Later on, he did go to the hospital (Memorial Hospital of Burlington County) to be evaluated at the ER and was released from there.”
   The fire is under investigation by Florence Township Fire Marshal Brian Richardson and does not appear to be suspicious at this time, police said.
   The fire broke out at 3:24 a.m. at 2 Kings Court, Florence Township Police Department Capt. Brian Boldizar said Feb. 10.
   ”Patrols arrived on location and observed fire coming from the front corner of the residence,” Capt. Boldizar said.
   Firefighters addressed the lack of hydrants in the area by bringing in tankers to help put out the fire.
   ”There are no hydrants in that development,” Capt. Boldizar said, adding a team was called in.
   It took about two and half hours to place the fire under control, Chief Scully said.
   ”When crews arrived, we found heavy fire coming for the window on the second floor of the structure,” Chief Scully said.
   Another challenge firefighters were faced with on a Sunday morning was “low manpower.”
   ”We faced low manpower at the beginning due to Burlington Township Fire Department, which had a house fire a couple hours prior,” Chief Scully said.
   The homeowner was home at the time of the fire and called it in, police said.
   ”There was fire and water damage throughout the entire home,” Capt. Boldizar said.
   Chief Scully confirmed the “majority of the house was destroyed due to the fire.”
   The residents were displaced due to the fire, and the Red Cross was called in to assist them with a place to stay, Chief Scully said.
   Florence Township Fire Department, Bordentown Township Fire District No. 2, Franklin Fire Company, Burlington City Fire Department, Beverly Fire Company, Chesterfield Hose Company, Jacobstown Fire Company, Springfield Fire Department and Willingboro Fire Department responded to assist with the fire.
   Capt. Boldizar warned residents that when there is a fire, to get out and stay out.
   ”When your home is on fire, do not risk your life by re-entering your home,” Capt. Boldizar said. “Once you are back inside the residence on fire, there is a good chance that you will become disoriented from inhaling the smoke and not be able to make your way back out of your home.”
   Capt. Boldizar asked residents to let the firefighters do their jobs. They are trained and have special equipment to protect themselves and, if need be, can rescue pets. There is no need to risk a person’s life or the lives of others, he said.
   ”The firemen who enter your home to extinguish the fire are using air packs and special equipment to help them rescue people and or pets,” Capt Boldizar said. “By re-entering your home, you put your life and the life of the firemen at risk who have to locate and remove you from your home.”