Fire destroys two duplexes in Sea Isle

By Donald Wittkowski A raging fire that broke out on Easter morning destroyed two adjacent bayfront homes in Sea Isle City. Two duplexes at 209 and 213 75th Street next to Central Avenue were reduced to a charred hulk by the time firefighters brought the blaze under control at around 6 a.m. The fire was first reported at around 5 a.m., authorities said. Firefighters were still spraying water on the smoldering rubble at 10 a.m. Sea Isle Police Chief Tom McQuillen said one firefighter suffered what appeared to be minor injuries and was taken to a local hospital for treatment. No other injuries were reported. The cause of the fire remains under investigation, McQuillen said. One of the duplexes was occupied when the fire started, but everyone was able to escape unharmed. The owner, who declined to give his name, said he awoke to find his house engulfed in flames. "I woke up and looked out the window and flames were shooting up all over the place," he said, declining further comment. Firefighters continue to douse the charred remains of the duplexes Easter morning. It was the third major house fire in Sea Isle in the past two years. On Nov. 29, 2018, an 89-year-old Sea Isle woman was killed in a fire that destroyed three adjacent homes on 54th Street. The cause of that fire has not yet been released, although authorities said it appeared to be accidental. In November 2017, an inferno swept through three adjacent beachfront homes on Pleasure Avenue between 91st and 92nd streets, destroying them all. No one was injured. Investigators were unable to determine how the blaze started. This is a developing story. Check back for updates as they become available. Firefighters battle the early morning blaze.