On August 28, 2014, the Wildwood City (NJ) Fire Department responded at 1059 hours to Oak & Park Blvd. for a building fire. Engine Company 38 arrived and reported a well-involved fire in a two-story mixed occupancy (first floor store, second floor apartment). Deputy Chief Daniel Speigel requested dispatch to strike the “All-Hands” (calling Rio Grande Fire Department to the scene and to cover the city). Initial reports were of a woman trapped in the second-floor apartment. E38 and North Wildwood Engine Company 2’s crew made an aggressive interior attack while performing a primary search. A second-alarm (North Wildwood Engine & Ladder and Wildwood Crest Engine) was quickly transmitted due to deteriorating conditions. Firefighters operating on the roof were able to open up exposing the extending fire in the cock-loft area. Crews continued to aggressively attack the fire, containing the fire to the building of origin.
STANDPIPE OPERATIONS: The BASICS
The apartment was occupied at the time of the incident and the woman was able to exit prior to the fire departments arrival. The store on the first floor has been closed for several years and was unoccupied. No injuries were reported, however a family cat was found deceased after the fire was extinguished.
Estimated damage to the building is $ 250,000. The building is currently uninhabitable. The fire has been investigated by the City of Wildwood Fire Department and the Cape May County Fire Marshal’s Office and has been ruled accidental due to workers making roof repairs.
Fire units remained on scene for close to three hours. During this incident, several fire and EMS incidents were responded to within the City of Wildwood by the covering company Rio Grande Fire Department and Middle Twp. EMS.
See more photos from this incident HERE.
