Wildwood Firefighters Controlled West Wildwood House Fire

West Wildwood, N.J. — October 1 — Wildwood Fire Department personnel responded shortly after 9 a.m.to a vehicle fire reported in the 600 block of West Maple Avenue.The fire quickly spread to a three-story residence, putting nearby properties at risk.

Squad Company 3 and North Wildwood Ladder Company 2 were the first units sent to the scene. As more calls came in about the fire spreading to the house, the incident was upgraded to a first alarm. This prompted additional Wildwood firefighters and support from other fire departments to arrive at the location.

Deputy Chief Dunn noted that the fire was intense on all three floors on the side of the house facing the street. There were also concerns about the fire spreading to neighboring buildings on both sides. Squad Company 3 managed to extinguish the exterior flames quickly, after which crews began an interior operation and searched the home.

Rescue Company 3 found a family dog on the third floor. Firefighters and Wildwood Crest EMS provided oxygen to the animal before transporting it to a local veterinarian. No injuries were reported among either civilians or firefighters.

The fire was contained within approximately 30 minutes. The Cape May County Fire Marshal’s Office concluded the fire was accidental, caused by a golf cart that had been exposed to floodwater under the home’s upper decks. Firefighters worked for about two hours to handle the situation. North Wildwood police provided assistance, and nearby fire departments covered their stations during the response.

The U.S. Fire Administration warns that lithium-ion battery devices that have been exposed to flooding should not be used or charged and should be moved away from buildings whenever it is safe to do so. This guidance is part of the USFA’s recommendations for dealing with flood-damaged batteries.