Fire Damages Long Beach Island Firehouse

SURF CITY, NJ — A "serious fire" damaged part of Surf City's firehouse Thursday, temporarily putting the department out of service, officials said.

"An alert Firefighter heard our Fire Siren sending a steady blast, which is our programmed alert indicator that the fire alarm system inside the Firehouse has been activated," the Surf City Volunteer Fire Company said. "Fortunately the Fire Siren worked as designed, and when our investigating Firefighter arrived from home, he found heavy smoke and flames inside the Apparatus Bay, and then called 9-1-1."

Firefighters used the building's fire extinguishers to hold back the blaze, then Rescue Engine 4913 doused it with tank water, officials said.

Preliminary investigation by the Ocean County Fire Marshal's Office indicates that the fire was accidental and caused by malfunctioning electrical equipment.

One firefighter was treated on the scene for a minor injury, officials said.

"Unfortunately the Firehouse, our apparatus and ambulances suffered a great deal of smoke damage," the fire company said.

While they are temporarily out of service, coverage for fire suppression and emergency medical services is in place from the Ship Bottom Volunteer Fire Co., High Point Volunteer Fire Company and the Barnegat Light First Aid Squad.

"We will be back up and running very soon!" Surf City firefighters said.