One of four residents of a West Avenue home that caught fire early Tuesday was reported to be in critical condition, and others were treated for burns and smoke inhalation after a blaze that was made harder to control because of hoarding conditions inside the structure, according to the Bethany Beach Volunteer Fire Company.
The BBVFC was one of nearly a dozen fire companies that responded to the July 21 fire.
As firefighters worked to extinguish the blaze in the one-story, single-family home in the 100 block of West Avenue, fire showed in the front, extended into the attic and broke through the roof, according to Gary Caunitis of the Millville Volunteer Fire Company, the first agency to respond.
All four residents were removed from the home, with three transported and one refusing care, although all were examined by EMS on the scene, Caunitis said.
The family was offered help by the Red Cross, he noted, but said there were other family members who would help. He said the fire company did not have the name of the homeowner.
Caunitis said the Office of the Delaware State Fire Marshal will investigate to determine the cause of the fire and whether the home is a total loss.
The BBVFC said firefighters “worked to rescue occupants trapped inside and battled significant hoarding conditions” in dealing with the July 21 blaze.
Firefighters “conducted an aggressive fire attack while conducting primary searches of the residence. Crews worked quickly to bring the fire under control, and primary searches confirmed that all occupants had safely exited the structure. … Following suppression efforts, firefights remained on scene for an extended period conducting overhaul operations to locate and extinguish hidden fire.
“Crews encountered significant hoarding conditions throughout the residence, creating additional challenges during firefighting operations,” they said. “Hoarding conditions can severely hinder the advancement of hose lines, limit access throughout the structure and make search operations more difficult while increasing their risks faced by firefighters.”
“Bethany Beach personnel were proud to assist the Millville Fire Company and the other mutual-aid departments during the incident. We extend our thoughts and prayers to those affected and wish the injured a full and speedy recovery,” BBVFC representatives said.
Other responding agencies included those from the Frankford, Roxana, Dagsboro, Selbyville, Milford, Gumboro and Millsboro volunteer fire companies, and from the Ocean City and Bishopville fire departments in Maryland.