Deputy Fire Chief Letts of the Beach Haven Volunteer Fire Department was driving on Long Beach Boulevard when a call came in over his radio about a fire reported at a nearby commercial building. According to a news release on the department’s Facebook page, Letts, knew the building and knew that there was occupied rental space within the building.
It was shortly after 2am Sunday morning and Letts drove to the building, kicked the door in and notified the person inside the building that it was on fire.
“Deputy Chief Letts noticed smoke in the area and turned around to investigate. Smoke was found to be coming from a commercial property with a residential living unit on the 2nd floor,” the department said. “After calling the fire in to Ocean County Sheriff’s Department Radio Room, knowing this living unit was occupied, Chief Letts kicked the door in and made entry to alert the occupant. At this time a 2nd alarm was requested.”
The fire was located in the attic. With the assistance of Long Beach Township Police officers, the occupant was helped out of the building.
Surf City Volunteer Fire Company arrived on scene and battled the fire with assistance from the Beach Haven, Ship Bottom and High Point Fire Companies. A FAST team from the Stafford Fire Department also was on scene.
The cause is under investigation by the Ocean County Fire Marshal’s Office.