“The water is almost instantly freezing,” said Vallauri, describing how the firefighters were injured as they fell on ice.

The fire was called in shortly after 7 p.m. and was fully involved when fire departments arrived. It wasn’t immediately clear how the fire began, Vallauri said.

By 7:45 p.m., more than a dozen emergency vehicles had arrived. Smoke could be seen coming from the top of the house in the back the cul de sac off Victoria Drive. A significant portion of the second story of the home was burned along with a garage.

Fire hoses lined the streets and many neighbors stood outside of their homes watching the fire that they said spread quickly.

The fire damaged two neighboring homes, Vallauri said.

Contact Jennifer Bogdan:

609-272-7239

Mays Landing- Students were evacuated Wednesday morning from Williams Davies School in Mays Landing, after officials say a small fire broke out.

Authorities say the fire, which was in a bathroom was put out quickly, but there was still a lot of smoke in the building. The damage is said to be minimal, and there were no injuries. Students were evacuated to nearby Oakcrest High School, before returning once the smoke cleared out. Police say they do have a suspect, a 12 year-old boy from Mays Landing. He is charged with second degree aggravated arson, 3rd degree criminal mischief and fourth degree risking widespread injury. He was taken to Harbor Fields Detention Center. Pending juvenile court.

The New Jersey Forest Fire Service has a warning for South Jersey. 

Wednesday and Thursday are being considered high risks for forest fires. 

Due to the dry, cold weather along with the windy conditions leads to an enhanced fire weather danger. 

"...Be very careful with campfires, with these cold nights people are burning their fireplaces and wood stoves, any time they discard ashes we want to make sure they're completely out, and where they discard them, be very careful, where they discard them," said Russ Fenton, Section Warden of the NJ Forest Fire Service.

On Monday, a forest fire ripped through more than 80 acres in Hamilton Township.