It took crews over two hours to battle a three-alarm fire in the Pine Hill borough of southern New Jersey on Tuesday night.
According to Camden County officials, the building was part of the Pine Hill Mansions apartment complex, located at 220 W Branch Ave.
16 units were destroyed as a result of the fire, according to the town’s police chief. The residents of those units are being helped by the Red Cross.
Five police officers who rescued residents from inside of the building were taken to a nearby hospital to be treated for smoke inhalation, the police chief said. One firefighter was also taken to the hospital for smoke inhalation.
“The officers that were transported for smoke inhalation were going door to door making sure people were out. It was very heavy smoke, even two hours later it was heavy smoke,” Chief Christopher Winters with the Pine Hill Police Department said.
SkyForce10 is over the scene around 6:40 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 12 where firefighters could be seen trying to put the blaze out in Pine Hill, Camden County.
Black smoke was visible as the red flames came from the roof of the building.
Officials believe the fire started on a second-floor balcony a little after 6 p.m. Police say all the residents made it out safe and are now on the care of the Red Cross. Nearly 30 people have been displaced due to the fire.
“This is obviously devastating. It’s devastating to the families. When you put that in perspective to the time of year it is it hits home a lot harder,” Winters said.
The fire marshal is investigating the cause of the fire.
