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Accident – Death – Obituary News : : 1. Camden County house fire tragedy
2. Fatal house fire in Camden County
Tragedy struck a Camden County community in Waterford Township, N.J., as a house fire claimed the life of one man and left a woman, five police officers, and two firefighters injured. The fire on Cooper Foley Road brought multiple crews to the scene, with officers bravely entering the burning home to rescue residents. Despite their efforts, 89-year-old James Lucas was found deceased inside. The woman was hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries. Neighbors recall the longtime resident and the sudden explosion-like noise before the flames erupted. The cause of the fire remains under investigation as the community mourns the loss and honors the heroism displayed during the tragic event.
1. Fatal house fire Camden County
2. Tragic fire incident Camden County
WATERFORD TOWNSHIP, N.J. – Tragedy unfolded in a suburban community in Waterford Township, New Jersey, as one man tragically lost his life in a devastating house fire, while a woman, five police officers, and two firefighters sustained injuries while trying to rescue the residents.
The distressing incident occurred on Thursday afternoon, around 1:15 pm, on the 400 block of Cooper Foley Road, amid the peaceful neighbourhood of Waterford Township.
First responders were met with a harrowing sight as they arrived at the scene, finding the home fully engulfed in flames. Despite the danger, Waterford Township police bravely ventured into the inferno to save two trapped residents.
Inside the burning house, officers managed to locate a woman and successfully brought her to safety. They valiantly attempted to rescue a male resident as well, but the intensity of the fire and smoke thwarted their efforts to locate him.
Meanwhile, multiple fire crews battled tirelessly to contain the raging flames that threatened the entire structure.
One eyewitness, Parrish, recounted the chaotic scene, “I heard them yelling, ‘Crawl to me!’ but I didn’t see anyone coming out. All I saw was police officers rushing into the house and emerging exhausted, coughing, and struggling to breathe. I knew they were my elderly neighbours in need of urgent assistance.”
Following the extinguishing of the fire, the lifeless body of the man, identified as 89-year-old James Lucas, was tragically discovered within the charred remains of the residence.
The injured woman was promptly transported to a nearby hospital for treatment of her non-life-threatening injuries.
Neighbours expressed shock and sorrow over the loss, revealing that the deceased had been a long-standing resident of the area, predating much of the recent development.
One neighbour, Parrish Deale, recalled hearing a loud noise preceding the eruption of flames, “I heard a sort of explosion-type noise. It was like a boom.”
He immediately rushed to the scene upon witnessing the blaze, “I heard a bunch of crackling noises, so I turned off the weed whacker and turned around to see the flames.”
Another neighbour’s drone captured the dramatic footage of heavy smoke and flames billowing from the engulfed home.
Parrish added, “I heard them yelling, ‘Crawl to me!’ but I didn’t see anyone coming out. All I saw was police officers going into the house and coming out exhausted, coughing, and struggling to breathe. I knew they were my elderly neighbours in need of urgent assistance.”
Five courageous Waterford Township officers were rushed to local hospitals for treatment of smoke inhalation, with two of them subsequently being transferred to Temple University Hospital for further care.
Additionally, two dedicated Waterford Township firefighters received treatment for burns at a nearby medical facility.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation, as authorities work tirelessly to determine the circumstances that led to this tragic loss of life and injuries.
