Man killed in Camden County house fire; 5 officers and 2 firefighters injured
Five officers who were trying to help the victim were hospitalized for smoke inhalation injuries.
WATERFORD TWP., New Jersey (WPVI) -- A house fire in Camden County, New Jersey left one man dead and several others injured, including five police officers and two firefighters.
It happened around 1:13 p.m. Thursday on the 400 block of Cooper Folly Road in Waterford Township.
As officers arrived to heavy smoke coming from the entire home, they were able to rescue a woman inside.
But during a second reentry, they were unable to locate 89-year-old James Lucas due to heavy smoke and fire conditions.
Parrish Deale heard a loud boom and crackling before he turned around to see his neighbor's house engulfed in flames.
Deale says he immediately ran towards the home, hoping to save those stuck inside.
"I knew that they needed help to be honest. There was a lot of smoke coming out the back and there was a big flame coming out the front," he recalled.
Lucas was later pronounced dead and the woman was transported to an area hospital for non-life-threatening injuries.
According to officials, five Waterford Township police officers were hospitalized for smoke inhalation injuries. Two Waterford Township firefighters were also hospitalized.
All seven first responders had been released from the hospital by Friday afternoon.
"Very sad time. I've lived here for 20 years and he was here before me," said Annette Ptaszenski about James Lucas. "We had some neighbors come and go, but they were really nice people."
As family and neighbors mourn his loss, they're proud of the first responders.
"To have the bravery to go into the house even though it's still burning, they're doing a great job," said Deale.
The fire was placed under control at 1:49 p.m.
The cause of the blaze is still under investigation.
