GLOUCESTER TOWNSHIP (WPVI) — More than 100 people have lost their homes after a towering fire at an apartment complex in South Jersey.

The fire broke out after 2 a.m. Saturday at the Autumn Ridge Apartment Complex in Gloucester Township.

“Just a wall of smoke. It was just completely, completely dark and disorienting,” said Ed Crabtree, whose brother-in-law lives in the building.

“He looked in his peephole and he saw fire from the apartment across the hallway,” said Pam Crabtree, Ed’s wife.

Pam’s brother, along with 100 people in escaped amid the shooting flames.

“We had to evacuate people immediately. There were some injuries,” said Gloucester Township Police Chief Anthony Minosse.

Police say four residents were hurt, one critically. A firefighter also sustained minor burns.

It took emergency responders about four hours to contain the flames.

“This situation could have been a lot worse. Of course we’re focused on those who were injured and our firefighter and making sure they’re well taken care of,” said Mayor David Mayer.
Township officials say the Red Cross is helping is helping neighbors.

“With the way things are right, everyone’s gonna have a difficult time getting back on their feet from this and it’s just a darned shame,” said Kenneth Hohney, who lives across the street.

While the fire is out, the damage to the building is severe. The roof fell into some of the apartments. 40 units sustained damage.

Pam’s brother lives on the fourth floor. She said he collapsed when he made it out the building and was taken to the hospital where he was treated for smoke inhalation. He’s recovering, but his family says he’s in shock about the breadth of the fire.

“Just realizing it’s a total loss and you’ve lost everything,” said Pam. “Thank God he got out, because he wouldn’t have survived that.”

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