Pub Fire Extinguished in Garfield

PHOTOS: A firefighter was treated at a local hospital for smoke inhalation and two civilians were tended to at the scene of an overnight blaze that destroyed a popular Garfield restaurant and severely damaged the apartments above it. A passerby alerted authorities to the fire that broke on the first floor of DP's Pub and Seafood Grill on River Drive shortly after 2:30 a.m. Friday, April 12, responders said. Firefighters found flames engulfing the bar and spreading quickly through the upper floors. Two second-floor tenants were treated for smoke inhalation at the scene after responding Garfield police officers got them out. The firefighter was taken to Hackensack University Medical Center. The buik of the fire was knocked down in a little over an hour. It was declared under control shortly before 5:30 a.m. The cause remains under investigation.
Garfield-Lodi Daily Voice

Mt. Laurel Firefighter ’Fights for Air’, Climbs 50 Floors in Full Gear to Raise Funds for American Lung Association

One Mount Laurel Fire Department (MLFD) firefighter suited up on his down time for a great cause last weekend. Firefighter Matt Schwartz represented the MLFD on April 6 for the American Lung Association’s “Fight For Air Climb” fundraiser in Philadelphia. Fight For Air Climbs take place throughout the United States and involve individuals, teams and first responders climbing stairs to raise money to fund lung health research, education and advocacy. The impact of lung disease on firefighters hits close to home, as in the line of duty they may experience occupational exposure to gases, chemicals, particulate and other substances with potentially damaging short- and long-term effects on the respiratory system.
TAP into Mt. Laurel

Elderly Woman Saved From Burning Car In Camden County

Berlin police pulled an elderly woman to safety as heavy smoke and fire spread around her vehicle. Smoke emanated from the engine compartment of a 2003 Buick Sedan that was stuck in traffic at 2:43 p.m. Tuesday. Two Berlin police officers observed the car while they were conducting a school crossing post detail at the corner of S Franklin Avenue and the White Horse Pike. The vehicle began as heavy smoke became a fully engulfed fire in the engine compartment. That's when Lt. Joshua Smith and Sgt. Eric Wolf noticed the driver, 75, trapped inside. The car was surrounded with smoke and flames, but the officers extracted the driver and moved her to safety. Berlin EMS brought her to a local hospital for minor injuries. Additional officers closed off the area, and the Berlin Fire Department extinguished the blaze.
Gloucester Township Patch

New Jersey officials urge caution as state enters peak wildfire season

New Jersey authorities are warning residents of the potential risks and preparation steps as the state enters peak wildfire season this month. Last year was the most active fire year in more than a decade for the Garden State, with nearly 1,200 wildfires burning over 18,000 acres statewide, according to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP). Fourteen of the fires were considered major, with the most damaging one spanning over 3,400 acres in Ocean County — forcing 170 evacuations. The NJDEP held a press conference Tuesday morning to discuss updates on the 2024 wildfire season, as the forest fire service teams provided the latest statistics and new tracking tools. "New Jersey has some of the most volatile wildland fuels in the country," said William Donnelly, New Jersey Forest Fire Service Chief, who continued to note the fires by the numbers.
WNBC-TV NBC 4 New York City

34-Acre Old Mine Wildfire Off Route 80 Fully Contained After More Than 24 Hours

PHOTOS: What started as a five-acre wildfire around 4 p.m. Tuesday, April 9 along Old Mine Road spread to nearly 34 acres and was visible along Route 80 in Warren County. Dubbed the "Old Mine Wildfire," the blaze originated on National Park Service property and is believed to be human caused, according to the New Jersey Forest Fire Service. At 8 p.m. Wednesday, April 10, New Jersey Forest Fire Service announced that the wildfire was fully contained. Two firefighters were treated for heat related injuries Tuesday, April 9 during initial attack. Both were treated at the scene, were released, and are doing well. Forest Fire Service and National Park Service crews will continue to monitor the fire area for the next several days.
Morris Daily Voice