Three counties and 50 agencies respond to wildfire
Monday, April 28, 2025
(Waterford Township, NJ) – On Sunday at 4:22 p.m., the Camden County Communications Center received a call regarding a fire burning inside a recycling facility at 225 Jackson Road. Given the favorable wildfire conditions, the blaze quickly escalated into a multi-alarm fire that threatened approximately 50 homes throughout the area. Based on the intensity of the fire and the fact that it had jumped out of the facility from the high winds, voluntary evacuations were facilitated around the fire’s perimeter.
Right now, the fire is contained to inside the facility and first responders will be on site for the next 24 to 48 hours in order to fully saturate the 15-acre site. Based on air quality monitoring by Camden County Haz Mat, there is a current recommendation for residents to shelter in place who live on Anderson Avenue, Front Street and Sapling Way due to elevated particulate readings.
Based on the conditions and the fire’s growth, fire apparatus from Camden, Burlington and Gloucester counties were sent to the Jackson Road location at the outset. Hundreds of first responders were on site, fighting the blaze and providing support services for the fire suppression teams. The Camden County Department of Public Safety, Camden County Haz Mat and the Camden County Office of Emergency Management were on site supporting the firefighting team.
Waterford Township Police Chief Daniel Cormaney talked about the challenges and the effort put into tonight’s fire.
“When this fire ignited today it had excellent conditions to spread and cause chaos for firefighters because of the clear forecast with high winds. There was a tremendous amount of coordination and all of our partners from every level of government were helpful in containing this fire and saving life and property tonight,” Cormaney said. “I want to thank the state fire marshal, the state police and the state forest fire service for their assistance and every other agency that came out today to help us contain and minimize this event. In addition, since this will be a prolonged fire, we are asking individuals to avoid the area for the next 12 to 24 hours.”
A road closure will take place on Jackson Road while firefighters continue to battle the blaze from Anderson Avenue to Hopewell Road. At this time no injuries have been reported to any of the firefighters battling the blaze. The state fire marshal will be conducting the fire investigation.
Commissioner Jonathan Young talked discussed the work being done at the fire scene.
“We owe all these men and women a debt of gratitude for the work they have done throughout the day that will continue well into tomorrow,” Young said. “My hope is that this continues to be an injury free event and that all of our first responders stay safe and get home to their families when this job is done.”