Fire Rescue News - Galloway Township fire displaces family
By DAN GOOD and ELAINE ROSE Staff Writers | Posted: Monday, January 18, 2010 | 0 comments
GALLOWAY TOWNSHIP - A family was displaced when their home on South Harvard Terrace caught fire Monday morning, the fire chief said.
One firefighter suffered a minor injury. The family dog escaped the blaze but their cat died.
Five fire companies responded to the two-alarm blaze in the home off Moss Mill Road after homeowner John Rich discovered the fire, township Fire Chief Ron Garbutt said....Continue Reading
Full Call Recordings
Part 1 Part 2
Part 3 Part 4
These are VOX recording. They are condensed and not in real time.
Continued from page 1
Rich was watching television in the family room when he noticed smoke in the window and saw the fire in the garage, Garbutt said. He unsuccessfully tried to extinguish the flames and was overcome by smoke. The family dog was by his side, and he opened the door to let it out, but the cat was still trapped inside.
Neighbor Gwen Mouliert said she noticed smoke coming from the home at about 9:50 a.m. After a few minutes, the smoke turned black and then flames rose from the garage and roof of the one-story house.
"I was worried the flames were going to get into the trees," Mouliert said.
A crowd of onlookers, including John and Elizabeth Rich
and their daughters, watched from the sidewalk. Mouliert said they had lived there for more than 30 years.
The fire was brought under control at about 11:30 a.m., Garbutt said. Tanker trucks had to carry water to the scene, as there are no hydrants in the immediate area. Crews remained on the scene until after 3 p.m., as hot spots continued to pop up.
One firefighter was taken to the hospital after experiencing high blood pressure but was doing well on Monday afternoon, Garbutt said.
A portion of Moss Mill Road was closed until about noon to allow firefighters to fight the flames, Garbutt said.
The home sustained heavy damage to the garage and attic, and smoke and water damage to the rest of the house, Garbutt said. The American Red Cross is relocating the family.
Firefighters from Pomona, Germania, Port Republic, Bayview and Oceanville responded, Garbutt said.
The cause of the fire is believed to be accidental and is under investigation, Garbutt said.
As Elizabeth Rich watched the firefighters drill and spray into the house's soggy, sagging roof, she found a moment of humor in the terrible situation.
"I think we need an extreme home makeover," she said, and she and Mouliert laughed. But the laughs quickly made way for red eyes and hugs, as the family collected itself on a difficult Monday morning.
Contact Elaine Rose: 609-272-7215 ERose@pressofac.com
Contact Dan Good: 609-272-7218 DGood@pressofac.com
Posted in Atlantic on Monday, January 18, 2010 11:20 am Updated: 11:39 pm.
