BYRAM TOWNSHIP, NJ (Sussex County) – Two people were injured in two separate house fires Saturday in Byram Township, according to the Byram Twp Fire Department.
Fire crews were dispatched at around 3:51 a.m. to fire alarm activation at a residence on Lake Dr., located in the Lake Lackawanna section, of the township.
Byram Township police arrived and confirmed a working fire. A first-alarm assignment was then dispatched and upon arrival of the fire chief, the officer relayed that an occupant was trapped on the second floor. The fire chief then upgraded the fire to a second-alarm, officials said.
The officer, who is a past officer of the Byram Township Fire Department, had found a ladder in the rear of the house and tried to gain access. The police officer quickly realized an air conditioner was blocking his means to gain access, authorities said.
The fire chief then made entry to find heavy fire conditions on the second floor. The police officers then began to bang on the outside of the house guiding the fire chief to the victim’s location, authorities said.
The second officer stayed at the front door remaining in contact with the fire chief. At this time, fire engines arrived on location where the assistant fire chief joined the fire chief on the fire floor where they started to remove the victim, officials said.
Noticing fire conditions were changing, the fire chief grabbed the hose line the police officer and engine driver left at the bottom of the stairs and knocked back the fire. The firefighters worked to remove the victim where they were met by both police officers at the stair and worked as a team to remove the victim, authorities said.
The victim was then transported to an area hospital, officials said.
Firefighters returned and split up completing a secondary search, which was negative and to knock the rest of the fire down. The fire was brought under control shortly after with crews remaining on scene for overhaul, authorities said.
No other injuries were reported, officials said.
The second fire was reported at around 1:10 p.m. at a residence on Brookwood Dr., located in the Brookwood section, of the township.
While responding, the fire chief saw a large column and requested to upgrade the fire to a second-alarm, authorities said.
On arrival heavy fire was found on the “B” Bravo side of the structure with an RV, the side of the house and the garage on fire, officials said.
Crews were met with high winds and worked aggressively to keep to fire from spreading to another house. Firefighters continued their aggressive attack and knocked the fire down. The fire was placed under control in an hour, authorities said.
A cat was pulled from the fire and one person suffered smoke inhalation. The person was transported to an area hospital. No other injuries were reported, officials said.
Both fires remain under investigation.
