DEPTFORD TWP., NJ — A three-alarm fire damaged 12 apartment units at the Narraticon Apartments on Hemlock Court in Deptford Township early Monday, according to WPVI. Firefighters were called around 12:45 a.m. after flames broke out at an apartment occupied by resident Angela Randolph.
The blaze spread quickly, forcing crews to bring in help from neighboring departments. At one point, firefighters were pulled back after the second floor collapsed. Officials said smoke detectors were working, and that residents and firefighters helped make sure everyone got out safely.
What Officials Said
WPVI reported that the fire started at Randolph’s apartment on the 100 block of Hemlock Court. Randolph said her granddaughter first spotted flames on the patio and shouted for help. Neighbors said they woke to people banging on doors and yelling for residents to leave.
Viewer video showed flames shooting high into the air as crews worked to contain the building fire. Ken Densten, who lives on the first floor, said he saw a giant fireball after being alerted by others. He said his apartment was not burned, but it suffered significant water damage.
Investigators were seen examining charred debris behind the building as they worked to determine what caused the fire. The cause remains under investigation. No injuries were reported in the account from WPVI.
Why It Spread So Fast
The fire’s speed and the collapse on the second floor show how quickly conditions worsened in the building. Randolph said the flames seemed to jump up in seconds after starting on the patio. The response escalated to three alarms, which brought additional firefighters to the scene and reflected the intensity of the blaze.
Residents’ quick reactions also appear to have mattered. Randolph said her granddaughter’s warning gave the family time to get out, and Densten said he and his dog, Daisy, escaped safely after others shouted that there was a fire. Officials said working smoke detectors were part of the reason everyone made it out.
The blaze also came at a difficult time for Randolph’s family, just days before the start of school. She said they had already bought school clothes and supplies, adding to the losses from the fire. Even so, she said her main focus was that no one died.
What Happens Next
For tenants, the immediate questions are housing, access to belongings and damage assessments. Densten said he did not know where he would sleep or whether he would be able to get his things. Randolph said her family is taking the situation step by step while investigators continue their work.
People affected by the fire will likely need to wait for officials to finish their investigation before knowing what can be salvaged or when they can return. Anyone seeking updates would check with local fire officials or the apartment management at Narraticon Apartments, along with WPVI’s ongoing coverage.
For the building and the neighborhood, the main unknown is the full extent of structural damage after the partial collapse. Investigators have not said what started the fire, and no timeline for repairs or reopening was included in the coverage from WPVI.
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