New Jersey

Woman Missing, 2 Others Hurt After Fire Spreads Through Sea Isle City Homes

The fire started shortly before noon Thursday at 54th Street and Landis Avenue before spreading to other properties.

What to Know

  • At least one woman is missing while three other people were injured after a fire spread through homes in Sea Isle City, New Jersey.
  • Three duplexes with a total of six units were destroyed or severely damaged.
  • At least three people were injured and an 87-year-old woman is unaccounted for.

Correction: This story has been updated to reflect the correct number of people injured during the fire.

At least one woman is missing while two other people were injured after a fire spread through homes in Sea Isle City, New Jersey.

The fire started shortly before noon Thursday at 54th Street and Landis Avenue before spreading to other properties. Responding firefighters could be seen dousing the flames as thick smoke poured into the air.

Three duplexes with a total of six units were destroyed or severely damaged. People working nearby ran to the scene, grabbed a ladder and helped rescue a man and woman from a first and second floor balcony. One of the rescuers then jumped to safety.

"We were able to get her to the ladder," Joseph Rice, one of the rescuers, told NBC10. "As soon as they got onto the ladder, started trying to come down, that's when the house kind of blew back with all the smoke and flames. The lady had to jump. We tried to catch her and the other gentleman jumped himself."

Firefighters eventually brought the flames under control. Two people were injured and two of those victims were hospitalized for burns and smoke inhalation. Another family member, an 87-year-old woman, is currently unaccounted for, investigators said. 

Detectives from the Cape May County Prosecutor's Office, Sea Isle City Police and the Cape May County Fire Marshal's Office are all investigating the cause of the fire.

"Right now we're focused on the fire suppression operations," Sea Isle City Police Chief Thomas McQuillen said. "Once the scene is deemed safe by the firefighters, it will then turn into an investigation."

Authorities plan on searching through the property Friday morning.

An 87-year-old woman is missing and three people were injured after a fire ripped through homes in Sea Isle City, New Jersey. NBC10 obtained drone video of the massive blaze.
Contact Us