CAPE MAY, N.J. — A fire that broke out in the basement of a Cape May home Thursday afternoon is believed to have been sparked by a charging electric scooter, according to local fire officials.
Key Points
- Fire crews responded to smoke showing from a residence basement on the 100 block of Broadway.
- The fire was quickly contained to the basement with no reported injuries.
- Investigators believe a charging electric scooter may have caused the blaze.
Cape May Fire Department’s A-Shift, along with West Cape May Volunteer Fire Company Station 57 and Cape May Point Volunteer Fire Company (CMPVFC) Engine 58, were dispatched at 2:22 p.m. to the 100 block of Broadway following reports of an activated fire alarm. Chief 57 arrived first on scene and immediately upgraded the response to a First Alarm Structure Fire after observing smoke emerging from the basement.
Engine 51 was the first to arrive and deployed a hand line into the basement to fight the fire. According to the department, the blaze was quickly extinguished and contained to the area where it started.
Mutual aid and overhaul support
Engines 57 and 58 assisted with overhaul operations and checked the structure for possible fire extension. The United States Coast Guard Training Center’s Squad 59 supported the operation by ventilating the building.
In addition, Erma Volunteer Fire Company’s Engine 62 provided station coverage for the City of Cape May during the incident to ensure response capabilities remained intact.
Cause under investigation
The fire is believed to have originated from an electric scooter that was plugged in and charging in the basement at the time of the incident. The Cape May County Fire Marshal’s Office is continuing to investigate to determine the official cause.
No injuries or displacements were reported.