House Fire Hospitalizes, Displaces Gloucester Township Resident

GLOUCESTER TOWNSHIP, NJ — A house fire hospitalized and displaced a Gloucester Township resident Wednesday evening, authorities said.

Township police responded to the blaze at about 5:30 p.m. on Briar Lane in Blackwood. With smoke and flames coming from the home, officers ensured that the property and neighboring homes were evacuated.

Multiple fire departments arrived afterward and controlled the flames.

The one resident occupying the home sustained injuries from trying to extinguish the fire, police said. Officials took him to Jefferson Hospital in Philadelphia.

Police didn't disclose a potential cause but said the fire doesn't appear suspicious. The New Jersey State Fire Marshal's Office and Lambs Terrace Fire Department Station 85 will continue investigating the incident.

The Gloucester Township Police Department reminded the public to check that their fire-suppression systems include alerts and operational alarms.

"Smoke alarms are a key part of any fire escape plan," the agency said. "When there is smoke, there is fire which can spread quickly. Working smoke alarms give you early warning, so you can get outside quickly."

Responding units included Gloucester Twp. Squad 88, Glendora Fire Company (Station 81), Chews Landing Fire Department (Station 82), Blenheim Fire Co. (Station 83), Blackwood Fire Company (Station 84), Erial Gloucester Township Fire District 6 (Station 86), Lambs Terrace Fire Company (Station 85), the Pine Hill Fire Department and Magnolia Fire Company Sta. 29.