Blaze Displaces Eight in Pleasantville, Injures Firefighter

Pleasantville, N.J. — A fierce fire tore through a Pleasantville home on Sunday, leaving eight residents displaced and one firefighter injured. Acting Fire Chief Keven Vanegas reported that crews rushed to the corner of Willard Avenue and Broad Street at 3:32 p.m. after flames erupted. Firefighters arrived to see intense fire pouring from a second-floor window, prompting a second-alarm response to summon additional resources. The blaze, which cast thick smoke over the neighborhood, was brought under control by 4:13 p.m., Vanegas stated. One firefighter sustained injuries during the operation and was taken to a local hospital for evaluation. After treatment, he was released the same day, according to Vanegas. The fire’s ferocity left the home uninhabitable, forcing the eight displaced residents to seek temporary shelter. The American Red Cross stepped in to assist with housing arrangements, offering support to those affected. Multiple agencies, including fire crews from Northfield, Linwood, Egg Harbor Township, Ventnor, Atlantic City, and the South Jersey Transportation Authority, alongside TriCare EMS and county fire coordinators, provided critical mutual aid. The cause of the fire remains under investigation, with authorities working to determine what sparked the destructive blaze. The incident underscores the challenges faced by first responders and the importance of community support for those impacted by such emergencies.