House Fire Kills Elderly Man, Injures 7 First Responders In Camden Co.: Police

WATERFORD TOWNSHIP, NJ — A Waterford Township house fire that killed an elderly man and injured several others is under investigation, officials said.

James Lucas, 89, was identified as the decedent. The blaze also injured five officers, two firefighters and another civilian.

Officers were dispatched to the fire at 1:13 p.m. Thursday at 439 Cooper Folly Rd., where they found heavy smoke emanating from the entire home. They pulled a female occupant to safety and then re-entered the residence in an attempt to locate Lucas, who was trapped inside.

Authorities initially couldn't find him because of heavy smoke and fire conditions. Once the Waterford Township Fire Department and other agencies extinguished the blaze, Lucas was found dead inside the home, police said.

The female occupant was brought to a local hospital for non-life-threatening injuries. Five Waterford police officers were treated for smoke inhalation, including two who were transported to Temple University Hospital in Philadelphia.

Two Waterford Township firefighters were taken to a local hospital for burn treatments.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Part of Cooper Folly Road was closed as officials responded to the fire.