Saturday, Dec. 26 2020 at 2:44pm Indian Mills Volunteer Fire Central Dispatch hit the tones for Stations 281 and 289, Stations 171 and 172 from Southampton, Stations 251 and 252 from Medford, Station 371 from Medford Lakes and Stations 431 and Rehab 439 from Tabernacle Township for a structure/house fire at 1 Twin Oaks Drive, Shamong Township.
Report was for a car fire in an attached garage with all occupants safely evacuated. What followed next was a massive, all hands in service, attempt to stop a wind driven, gasoline and natural gas fed fire by no less than 23 fire companies from three different counties handling the attack lines, master streams, water supply, traffic control, cover assignments for companies at the scene, fire grounds safety and fire investigation. In the end, even though the fire was declared under control at 3:50 p.m., crews spent the next six hours extinguishing flare ups due to the collapsed nature of the structure. Over 105,000 gallons of water was needed to extinguish this fire.
The following is a list of organizations that participated in the monumental task of controlling the house fire. As bad as this fire was, it could have grown to multiple structural exposures if not for the combined efforts of all agencies involved.
All Hands in Service call by Chief John Smith expedited the response of the following Companies: Stations 281 and 289 Shamong Township, Stations 431 and 439 Tabernacle Township, Stations 171 and 172 Southampton Township, Station 371 Medford Lakes, Stations 251 and 252 Medford Township, Camden County Station 232 Waterford Township, and Atlantic County Station F9 Hammonton Township.
Tender Task Force: Stations 211, 212 and 213 Springfield Township, Station 261 Chesterfield Township, Station 331 Mansfield Township, Station 461 North Hanover Township, and Station 401 Florence Township.
Regional Structural Task Force: Station 231 Delran, Station 801 Palmyra, Station 701 Riverside Fire Company, Station 161 Willingboro Township, Station 201 Cinnaminson, and Station 241 Riverton.
Cover Assignments: Station 452 Washington Township, Station 223 Evesham Township, and Station 131 Lumberton Township.
Thanks also goes to the following agencies: Shamong Township Emergency Management, Shamong Township Public Works, Burlington County Fire Marshall’s Office, New Jersey State Fire Marshall, New Jersey State Police, Burlington County Fire Coordinators, and Burlington County Central Dispatch.
This was an amazing effort of friends helping friends, neighbors helping neighbors, all in a coordinated effort to make the best of a devastating situation. A very special thanks to all.
The family affected by the fire can be supported by donating to this Go Fund Me: https://www.gofundme.com/f/schwartz-family-relief-fund?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=p_cp%20share-sheet&fbclid=IwAR3G0RdUcuivMFpLIjgrmCGIsujrG6ew50xGCtLk1JTlUVbaMTkYxW4VIVk
“Please extend my thanks on behalf of the family and all our neighbors for your response and caring,” wrote Shamong Mayor Michael Di Croce in an email. “Our fire, emergency management and neighbors have been so giving and kind and it makes me so very proud to be here in Shamong. The outpouring of love has been tremendous!”
