Blaze Saturday on West Avenue displaces five residents
OCEAN CITY – The Ocean City Fire Department had to help one of their own Saturday morning when a firefighter was briefly stuck near flames and amid swirling smoke on a second-floor deck after the valve on a propane tank failed during a fire at a West Avenue residence.
As the OCFD ladder truck was swinging into action, fellow firefighters raised a metal ladder to give their colleague an escape route. The firefighter climbed down the ladder before flames engulfed the deck. The firefighter was not injured.
The department was called out to 1600-1602 West Ave. at 8:27 a.m.
9-1-1 reports indicated two possible trapped occupants, but when units arrived on the scene three minutes later, the occupants had safely evacuated. One was taken to the hospital for medical evaluation.
Upon arrival, firefighters saw a large fire at the rear of the property and immediately began rescue and fire suppression operations. A second alarm was sounded, prompting a full fire department recall and dispatch of mutual aid from the Marmora Volunteer Fire Department, Upper Township EMS and Margate City Fire Department, according to the city public information officer.
When the propane tank valve failed, the fire dramatically increased. The fire was deemed under control at 9:14 a.m.
The fire was contained to 1600-1602 West Ave. The OCFD, Ocean City Police Department and Cape May County Fire Marshal’s Office are investigating the blaze.
The Red Cross and Ocean City Office of Emergency Management are assisting with immediate sheltering needs of the displaced individuals. Five residents were displaced.
– By DAVID NAHAN/Sentinel staff
Photos by Jane David (top), Steve Zellers