At 18:44 hours on Thursday July 31, Station 55 and 54 were dispatched by Ocean County Fire for a reported kitchen fire on Bayberry Court in 60 Acres. Jackson First Aid and Jackson Police Department arrived on location a few minutes later and reported a working fire. The occupant of the house had evacuated at the time of the fire.
Shortly thereafter, A/C 5410 Rich D'Allessandro and Chief 5500 Chip Smith arrived on location and reported the first floor of the 2-story residential attached dwelling fully involved. Engine 5411 arrived first due and deployed two inch and three quarter attack lines to the interior, achieving a quick knock down of the fire. Engine 5521 arrived next and laid a 5" supply line from a hydrant at the corner to 5411, connecting direct to the pumper for water supply. Engine 5511 picked up the hydrant and pumped to 5411. Rescue 5503 was on location as well as Engine 5421.
The crews achieved a quick knock down of the fire and contained the fire damage to the first floor, mainly in the kitchen area. The second floor suffered heat damage but was mainly intact.
There were no injuries, and all six of the homeowners cats were located and treated for smoke inhalation by the First Aid Squad. As is the routine, the Ocean County Fire Marshal was called to the scene and is handling the fire investigation.
Fire Safety Tips
| In the hands of a child, matches and lighters can be deadly! Store them where kids can't reach them, preferably in a locked area. Teach children that matches and lighters are "tools" and should only be used by adults. |