Massive fire at apartment complex in Camden County injures 6 first responders

PINE HILL, NJ - A huge fire ravaged a Camden County apartment building. The flames spread to multiple units, as residents were forced to flee from the flames in Pine Hill.

Several first responders were hurt.

Blustery winds only added to the problem for firefighters.

"Between the winds and it started and all we heard was roofs collapsing. It was terrible," Gabrielle Rosario said.

Her sister and three children live in the Mansion Apartment complex. They were all home when the flames broke out in their building. Gabrielle, who lives nearby, came rushing over as soon as she got word. "My sister was right at her window and she seen a porch on fire. From the porch, she seen the fire coming toward their windows. She was screaming and tried to get her whole family out. I just thank God they made it out in the nick of time."

Police say the fire occurred around 6 p.m. on a second-floor balcony at one of the apartment buildings on the 300 block of West Branch Avenue. The fire spread quickly from there.

Destiny Menser, who lives a few buildings over, was out with her dog when she noticed the flames. "At first, it was huge. You could literally see it over the trees. I just wanted to make sure it wasn’t close to our apartment. I’m just outside, just walking my dog. Next thing I know, I see a building on fire. It was kind of crazy. I’ve never been this close to a fire before."

Pine Hill Police Chief Christopher Winters says officers were going door-to-door alerting people. 16 units in all were destroyed, but he says the 28 to 30 people who lived in them got out safely.

"I think the biggest picture here is seeing the victims being taken care of right now. That’s what is important. What’s important is to go up to the community center and seeing the families sitting with the Red Cross to make sure they have what they need right this second," Chief Winters stated.

The fire grew to three-alarms and it took firefighters two and a half hours to bring it under control. Firefighters will remain on the scene into tomorrow to make sure they get any hot spots. 

Five police officers and one firefighter were all treated for smoke inhalation at a local hospital.

The cause of the blaze is under investigation.