Columbus, New Jersey — December 16 — Due to a reported structure fire, members of Franklin Fire Company #1 and several mutual-aid partners were sent to the unit block of Fire Side Circle in the Homestead Development. When the first units arrived, they saw smoke and fire coming from the back of the house. An unresponsive resident was taken out of the house by firefighters.

Resuscitation operations were started by EMS professionals, who were successful in restoring spontaneous breathing. For additional care, the patient was airlifted to Temple University Hospital. The house was severely damaged, but the fire was put out. The necessity of keeping functional smoke and carbon monoxide detectors in every home is highlighted by the responders' claim that there was no audible smoke alarm upon arrival.