Lifelong resident killed in Winslow Twp. house fire

WINSLOW TWP., N.J. (WPVI) -- Family members have identified the man killed in an early morning fire in Winslow Township.

81-year-old Edward Liberto was a lifelong resident of the area. He was the sixth of seven siblings, part of an old Winslow Township farming family.

Liberto had gotten out of the farming business, but he still lived on the land that the family calls the homestead in the 300 block of South Egg Harbor Road.

Relatives say his death early Friday morning comes as a devastating blow. Just last week, Liberto's brother, 85-year-old Rudy Liberto, was killed when he was hit by a car crossing Route 73 in Winslow Township.

There is now only one surviving sibling of the seven brothers and sisters.

In addition, family members say Liberto's wife died just last year.

The blaze at Liberto's home broke out just before 2:00 a.m. Friday.

Arriving firefighters were told a man was trapped inside the house.

As crews tried to rescue Liberto the blaze went from light smoke to heavy flames.

Edward Liberto was found a short time later in the bedroom area of the home.

He was rushed to the hospital but died a short time later.

It took firefighters about a half hour to get the blaze under control.

One firefighter suffered chest pains and was taken to the hospital as a precaution.

He is expected to be okay.

The fire marshal was on the scene working to determine what sparked the blaze.