East Greenwich Fatal House Explosion - 10/27/2020

EAST GREENWICH TWP., NJ (Gloucester County) - Tuesday evening at approximately 18:00hrs, District 19 (East Greenwich FD) along with automatic mutual aid companies were alerted to a report of a house explosion with fire and potential victims trapped inside with several 9-11 calls placed. Fire Department Officers in the area of the incident quickly advised the Communications Center that there was a visible column and to continue with the "All-Hands" alert. Apparatus from East Greenwich as well as the surrounding towns mutual aid companies, quickly responded and were met with significant fire and partial dwelling collapses, but went to work immediately attempting to search for and rescue any potential victims in the dwelling. Following firefighters and crews that arrived shortly after, went to work once they were advised fellow members were no longer in the dwelling; using master stream devices and hand-lines to knock down the bulk of the fire. Once the majority of the heavy fire was subdued, firefighters on location were better able to make further attempts to locate any victims, but were unsuccessful until further in to the evening with the assistance of Investigators and other Agencies that responded. Sadly an elderly couple was located, deceased; presumed to be the homeowners inside the dwelling. Currently the fire is under investigation by the Gloucester County Fire Marshal's Office. No firefighter injuries were reported at the time of this submission.