Friday, February 13, 2015

AVALON, NEW JERSEY FIREFIGHTERS BATTLE BLAZE IN EXTREME COLD, HIGH WINDS. TWO HOMES DESTROYED IN AVALON FIRE









FEBRUARY 15, 2015




AVALON, NEW JERSEY




A fire broke out in an Avalon home under construction late Thursday night and spread to an adjoining home on Fifth Avenue before firefighters brought it under control early this morning, Avalon officials said.




Both homes were unoccupied and there were no injuries. The fire started at a home at 4718 Fifth Ave.




This morning gigantic icicles hung from the two destroyed buildings, revealing an eerie snow-globe-like scene in the charred wreckage.




Avalon firefighters arrived on the scene about 11 p.m. Thursday and found the home ablaze. The fire then spread to an existing home next door.




Firefighters remained on the scene this morning to put out hot spots. The frigid temperature and powerful winds complicated the efforts.




Sustained 30 mile-per-hour winds fanned the flames and sent softball-sized embers floating across the street, Avalon officials said.




The Avalon Volunteer Fire Department got access to nearby homes to prevent the further spread of fire. Two firefighters were treated at the scene for exposure to the cold.




No cause of the fire has yet been determined.




More than a dozen local fire companies and emergency units from Cape May County assisted. Fire departments from Anglesea, Wildwood, Wildwood Crest, Sea Isle City, Stone Harbor, Marmora, Seaville, Erma, Cape May Court House, Ocean View, Dennisville, Rio Grande and Goshen assisted.