Update March 16, 2021: The New Jersey Forest Fire Service (NJFFS) announced that the forest fire that burned 170 acres in Lakewood and Brick reached 100% containment as of 2 p.m. Monday.
The injured firefighter remained in critical condition in the hospital as of 5 p.m. Monday, NJFFS officials said.
Original report:
By Laura French
LAKEWOOD, N.J. — A New Jersey firefighter is in critical condition after suffering a medical emergency responding to a wildfire Sunday.
The New Jersey Forest Fire Services (NJFFS) firefighter was among the crews battling a 170-acre blaze that shut down a section of the Garden State Parkway and destroyed at least two mixed-use professional/commercial structures, according to the NJFFS.
The firefighter was listed in critical condition in the hospital as of Sunday night. According to NBC Philadelphia, the firefighter suffered a “cardiac incident” while responding to the blaze.
https://twitter.com/LakewoodScoop/status/1371171641061998592?s=20
Nearly 30 homes were damaged in the blaze, including three that were rendered uninhabitable, according to Patch.com. The fire was about 50% contained as of 8:30 p.m. Sunday.
Officials said 40 mph winds contributed to the fire’s spread. The origin of the blaze was identified but the exact cause remains under investigation.
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