12 trailers at campground destroyed, but no one is injured
SEAVILLE — Firefighters from 26 departments battled a blaze for more than three hours April 11, preventing injuries in a conflagration that destroyed a dozen trailers and damaged more than a dozen others.
Seaville Fire Rescue Deputy Chief Roy Blackledge reported crews arrived at about 3:30 p.m. at Seaville Shores Campground at 98 Corson Tavern Road.
Mayor Jay Newman, who was out of state at the time, said the seasonal campground, where people can stay only between April 1 and Nov. 1, was nearly or completely vacant but that rescue workers had to check each unit immediately to ensure no one’s life was in danger.
“One of our goals, no matter what’s going on, is life safety,” Newman said. “That’s the number one priority.”
Seaville Fire Rescue, the Marmora and Tuckahoe fire companies and the Upper Township Division of EMS responded to the site, where arriving officers found multiple seasonal campers fully involved and others catching fire.
“There were multiple explosions and jetting of propane tanks and intense heat and smoke at times blocking out the sunlight,” Blackledge said in a statement. “The conflagration was so intense it caused damage to many trailers over 100 feet from the fire. Embers caused woods fires in multiple locations, burning over 2 acres of woods.”
He said crews went to work trying to defend the advance of the fire, noting there are no fire hydrants in the area and that all water needed to be supplied by tanker trucks.
“The fire quickly grew to four alarms, requiring the Cape May and Atlantic counties tanker task force to be activated,” Blackledge said. “The fire was placed under control after three hours of firefighting at 6:30 p.m.
The Seaville fire department was on the scene for more than seven hours, assisting investigation and controlling and searching for hot spots. The fire is under investigation by the Cape May County Fire Marshal and New Jersey State Fire Marshals offices.
One firefighter was transported to Shore Medical Center for evaluation and was released a short time later.
The fact that there was only one minor injury amid such a blaze is a testament to good planning and preparation, Newman said.
“It goes back to years of preparation, training together and trying to figure things out before they happen to not only avoid them, but to be able to handle them effectively,” he said. “We have good, experienced people in place.”
Blackledge reported more than 100 firefighters from 26 agencies responded to the scene.
“This is the largest fire the township has responded to in 30 years,” Blackledge said. “Firefighting operations were hampered by intense heat, the fire causing its own driven winds and the need to use tankers for water supply.”
The following fire companies responded to the scene to provide manpower, station cover and tanker support: Ocean View Fire, Ocean City Fire, Dennisville Fire, Belleplain Fire, Cape May Court House Fire Rio Grande Fire, Villas Fire, Dorothy Fire, Cumberland Fire, Richland Fire, Heislerville Fire, Somers Point Fire, Scullville Fire, Pomona Fire, Bargaintown Fire, NJ Air National Guard 177th Fighter Wing Fire, Bayville Fire, Atlantic City International Airport Fire, Oceanville Fire, Laureldale Fire, Absecon Fire, Port Republic Fire, Elwood Fire, South Egg Harbor Fire, New Jersey State Forest Fire Service and State Police.
“The Seaville Fire and Rescue Company thanks all the fire companies who responded to assist our township in fighting this fire as well as the area businesses and restaurants who donated food and supplies in support, especially Dino’s Seaville Diner, Giuseppe’s Gourmet, Pino’s Pizzeria, Kirk’s Pizza and Vita Bella Restaurant.
“The township of Upper thanks our local volunteer fire departments and rescue squads for their hard work during yesterday’s tragic trailer fires in Seaville,” Newman said in a statement. “Their dedication and commitment was displayed during the many hours they spent on scene. The township thanks all the mutual aid agencies that came and assisted during this catastrophic event. Our deepest support and condolences go out to all those affected by this fire.”
Seaville Shores posted the following message on its Facebook page:
“Hey everyone. We have had a propane explosion at the campground. There was a fire but it is under control. No one is hurt. But we are assessing the situation. If you do not get a phone call your trailer wasn’t affected. Please do not call unless you get a phone call. Please keep us in your prayers. Officers and we will be in contact with anyone who was affected.”
By CRAIG D. SCHENCK/Sentinel staff
