AVALON, NJ - Just before 1:00 A.M. on the morning of April 12th, the crew manning Engine 11 smelled smoke, opened an outside door of the station, and were surprised to find a wall of smoke, convincing them that the adjacent city hall was on fire. Seconds later, Cape May County dispatched a full first-alarm to a reported fully involved dwelling fire at 156 32nd Street, about 300-yards away.

First due OIC Lt. Lisa Sasdelli initiated a transitional attack with a two-and-a-half-inch handline to protect the 'B' side exposure, but when crews ascended the front steps and opened the front door, they found that all the floor boards had burned away. Eventually knocked down, crews were simultaneously overhauling on all three floors and a crawlspace. The fire was brought under control at approximately 1:50 A.M. Shortly after, Chief Ed Dean called a second-alarm to provide relief manpower at the scene to continue overhaul.

The fire began in the crawlspace of the single-family wood-frame dwelling under construction. The dwellings on either side of the building of origin received damage during the fire.

The Avalon Fire Department was assisted by Avalon EMS, Stone Harbor, Sea Isle City, Ocean View, Cape May Court House, and Rio Grande fire companies, as well as the Cape May County Fire Coordinator, and Middle Township Ambulance Corps.