The 911 call came in at 10:49 p.m. and the Ocean City Department of Fire & Rescue Services and Ocean City Police Department crews were immediately dispatched to the scene, according to Fire Chief Bernard F. Walker. They arrived three minutes later and reported heavy smoke and fire conditions on the second-floor in the rear of the building.
The on-scene incident commander declared it a working fire, which increased the alarm assignment to include a full department recall of off-duty members and automatic mutual aid. Members from the Fire & Rescue Services A Platoon stretched hose lines, initiated a search of the building and contained the fire to the structure of origin. The fire was extinguished and placed under control.
All occupants were able to exit the structure, according to the chief, who added no injuries to civilians or members of the fire department were reported.
The cause and origin of the fire are under investigation by the Ocean City Fire Department Investigation Unit, Cape May County Fire Marshal’s Office, Ocean City Police Department and the New Jersey State Fire Marshalls Office.
Mutual aid assistance was provided by Marmora Volunteer Fire Company, Strathmere Volunteer Fire Company, Somers Point Volunteer Fire Company and Upper Township Rescue.