An early morning house fire took the life of two longtime residents of Millbrook Park on November 2nd. At 6:10 am Willingboro Fire Department, along with several departments from neighboring towns, were called to 99 Millbrook Drive for a house fire with reported people trapped inside. While enroute Engine 1613 spotted a column of smoke in the sky and was advised by Central Communications that the 911 Dispatch Center had received several calls about the fire. Engine 1613 was on scene in three minutes and found heavy fire and smoke coming from the entire structure.

Firefighter Friddell, the acting supervisor, had ordered several hoselines to be deployed and the deluge gun from Engine 1613 put into service. Firefighter C. Clark took a 2" hoseline to the front of the home, while Firefighter Carty took a 2-1/2" hoseline to the rear yard. Firefighter Anderson manned 1613's deluge gun. Firefighter Robertson and EMS personnel secured a water supply from a nearby fire hydrant. Within five minutes of arriving on scene there was over 1000 gallons of water being put onto the fire.

Chief of Department Burnett arrived on scene and took command of the incident. He immediately called for a second alarm. Firefighters from the 1st alarm grid, Willingboro, Beverly, and Delran, used two 1-3/4" and the 2" hoselines from Engine 1613 to get into the home once most of the fire had been controlled with the initial hoselines and deluge gun. Delran firefighters were attempting to enter the home from the garage roof. Engine 1613, Ladder 1615, and a crew from Beverly eventually made it to the second floor of the home to start a search.

Once crews were able to enter the home they conducted a primary search and found the couple within the structure. Crews then conducted a secondary search to ensure nobody else had been located within the structure. A crew from Mount Laurel also entered the home to assist with ensuring all fire was extinguished on the first floor. The fire was placed under control by Chief Burnett at 7:01 am.

Once the fire was extinguished firefighters exited the home and awaited investigators to arrive on scene. Investigators from Willingboro Police Department Detective Bureau, Burlington County and NJ State Fire Marshal's Offices, and the Burlington County Prosecutors Office came to the scene for a joint investigation. At this time there is no determination as to the cause of the fire.

There were no other civilian or firefighter injuries as a result of the fire. A temporary fence was placed around the house to secure the property at the direction of the Willingboro Township Building Officials Office. The fire department and investigators cleared the scene at 5:30 pm.