On Saturday January 31st at around 7:00 p.m. the Box Alarm was transmitted for a reported dwelling fire in the area of Wildwood and Hudson Avenues.

On arrival, Engine Company 38 (Captain Sacco) reported a working fire in a 2 story twin dwelling and requested the “all hands” to be transmitted. Engine 38 and North Wildwood FD Engine 2 began a search and fire attack. Fire was traveling through void areas and made its way to the attic area quickly. A second alarm was requested. Firefighters continued an aggressive interior attack but the fire became too intense in the cockloft area. Firefighters were removed from the building and aerial master streams placed into service.

The fire was brought under control after about two and a half hours. Fire units remained on scene for approximately four hours, extinguishing hot spots. Power to approximately 7,000 residents was interrupted due to electrical lines becoming involved in fire.

Units operating on scene were Wildwood City FD, North Wildwood FD, Wildwood Crest FD, West Wildwood FD and Rio Grande FD. Rio Grande EMS was also on scene. There was one firefighter injury from a fall. That firefighter was transported to Cape Regional Medical Center and later released.

Estimated damage to the building is $250,000. The building is uninhabitable. The building was unoccupied at the time of the fire. The fire is being investigated by the City of Wildwood Fire Department and the Cape May County Fire Marshal's Office.