Fire/Rescue News - Absecon man injured, family homeless after fire

By ELAINE ROSE Staff Writer | Posted: Friday, November 27, 2009 | 0 comments

ABSECON — A family was displaced and the father slightly injured Friday night when their East Wyoming Avenue house was seriously damaged by fire.

Firefighters were called to the 200 block of East Wyoming Avenue at 8:54 p.m. and arrived 2 minutes later to find the house fully involved in flames, said Chief Butch Stewart of the Absecon Volunteer Fire Company. The fire was brought under control in 12 to 15 minutes, he said.

Resident Heather Rhoads said her husband, Greg, suffered a minor burn to his hand and smoke inhalation when he picked up a chair and tried to put out the fire. She and their child were not home at the time, she said.

Greg Rhoads went to AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center, Mainland Campus, in Galloway Township, for treatment, and was to be kept overnight, Heather Rhoads said.

The fire started in an upstairs bedroom and spread to another bedroom, the bathroom, the hall and the roof, Stewart said. The cause was under investigation.

Firefighters cleared the scene at about 11:40 p.m.

Contact Elaine Rose: 609-272-7215  ERose@pressofac.com