Crime & Safety

Valleybrook Fire Displaces Residents

The fire broke out on La Costa Drive around 7:10 p.m. Thursday.

Fire crews from across the township were able to contain a blaze in the attic of a Valleybrook townhouse Thursday evening.

No one was injured in the fire.

The blaze at 88 La Costa Dr. started at around 7:10 p.m. Police were first to arrive to the scene, and confirmed the report of smoke coming from the townhome's second floor.

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It took firefighters about a half-hour to extinguish the fire, Chews Landing Fire Department Assistant Chief Joe Madden said at the scene.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation by the Camden County Fire Marshal's Office and township police.

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Three people who were staying at the townhouse were provided shelter by the Camden County chapter of the American Red Cross, police said.

Madden was overheard telling the residents of 86 La Costa Dr. that the firewall between their home and the neighboring townhouse where the fire started did its job, sparing their home of more significant damage.

It appears the two men living next door will only be temporarily displaced by the fire.

Firefighters did break a hole in the roof to their 86 La Costa Dr. residence to assure the fire had not spread into its attic or between the walls of the two townhomes.

The same cannot be said for 88 La Costa Dr., which sustained extensive damage to its upper levels.

A dark-colored Chevrolet with a New York license plate was parked in the garage at 88 La Costa Dr. Neighbors indicated they believed only one person was living at the townhouse where the fire started.

Chews Landing Fire Department was assisted at the scene by township fire personnel from the Blackwood, Blenheim and Glendora stations, as well as by firefighters from Cherry Hill, Runnemede, Lindenwold and Hi Nella. Camden County Fire Police aided with traffic control.


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