The following information comes from Joel Bewley, public information officer with the Burlington County Prosecutor’s Office:
A fire occurred on the morning of April 3 at the Travel Inn in Lumberton, which is located at the intersection of Route 38 and the Mount Holly Bypass. There was one fatality as a result of this fire. The victim was an adult male.
It was called in at 8:50 a.m. by Matthew Hempel, who is a lieutenant with Evesham Fire-Rescue. Lt. Hempel was on his way to teach a course at the Burlington County Emergency Services Training Center when he noticed smoke coming from the motel. He notified Burlington County Central Communications and pulled into the motel’s lot.
Lt. Hempel was informed that a man who resided at the motel was still inside of Room 309. Lt. Hempel entered the room but was unable to locate the occupant due to the smoke and flames. He exited the room to take a breath and returned inside — repeating this routine a few times — until he located the unresponsive resident. He then picked him up to carry him outside.
Lumberton Township Police Sgt. Nicholas Peditto and Patrolman Chris Cheesman arrived as this was happening and helped Lt. Hempel carry the man away from the building. He had succumbed prior to being removed from the room.
Lt. Hempel was treated and released at the scene for smoke inhalation.
Fire companies from Eastampton, Lumberton, Mount Holly and Westampton responded to the call. The fire was contained to Room 309 and was brought under control in approximately 20 minutes.
The cause of the fire is being investigated by the Burlington County Fire Marshal’s Office, the Burlington County Prosecutor’s Office, the Lumberton Fire Bureau and the Lumberton Police Department.
No preliminary cause is being released at this point.
