One Atlantic County Fire Department has been awarded a grant to help continue support their efforts to protect the community they serve. 

Congressman Frank LoBiondo announced on Thursday that the Bargaintown Volunteer Fire Company will be awarded over $21,000 in federal funding.

“Day in and day out, the men and women of our fire and rescue units are the first responders to emergency events in our communities...These are challenging economic times and our first responders are being asked to do more with less. Bargaintown Volunteer Fire Company #2 has previously demonstrated its wise use of federal funds to protect the residents of Egg Harbor Township. I recognize the need for this assistance and will continue to support critical programs like AFG,” said LoBiondo.

The Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program awards grants directly to fire departments and emergency services to support their efforts to protect the communities they serve.

The competitive grant is used to obtain new equipment, protective gear, training, and other necessities. 

123 organizations in the 2nd Congressional district have been awarded more than $22 million since the program began in 2001. 

A cigarette caused a quickly moving fire last week that destroyed a home, shed and car, also damaging three other homes, Hamilton Township police said Tuesday, in ruling it accidental.

The wind is fueling the fire, which then spread to a third home.

Neighbors say the fire may have started in a shed between two of the homes.

So far, no injuries have been reported. One person was in the first home that caught fire and was able