The Office of the Gloucester County Fire Marshall has been investigating the fire that occurred on Jan. 13 on the 1300 block of Tatum St. The preliminary investigation has found that there was an explosion in the rear of the residence.
Early Thursday morning, rescue teams responded into West Deptford Township, assisting with fire suppression and establishing a secondary water supply. Crews operated for about 4 hours.
The cause of the explosion is still being determined and the investigation is ongoing. The explosion caused the initial fire, which spread to the neighboring residence. There is no indication of foul play or suspicious cause.
In addition to the one confirmed adult female death, the 57-year-old male victim
remains hospitalized in Crozer-Chester Medical Center. The 31-year-old female, 26-year-old male and one month old male child have been treated and released from Cooper Hospital in Camden, N.J.
At this time, proper notification is still being made to the family, therefore the victim’s
identities are not being released
If anyone has any information or video footage of the scene that could assist in the investigation, please contact Detective Matt Carroll at 856-853-4599 ext. 168 or mearroll@westdeptfordpd.com.
Investigating agencies currently include the West Deptford Township Police Department, the Gloucester County Prosecutor’s Office, the Office of the Gloucester County Fire Marshall and ATF. The West Deptford Fire Department and numerous surrounding jurisdictions are responding to the call for mutual aid.
“Our hearts are broken for the two families involved,” local non-profit The Unforgotten Haven wrote on Facebook Thursday night. “The Gloucester County Commissioners Office is coming to The Unforgotten Haven shortly. We will be assisting the two families.”
The cause of the fire is under investigation by the Office of the Gloucester County Fire Marshal.
