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Businesses below the apartment, where the fire began, also were damaged, Gloucester Township police said.
On Wednesday, July 3, at approximately 1 a.m., Gloucester Township police were dispatched to 32 N. Black Horse Pike in Blackwood for a report of a structure fire.
Arriving officers found heavy smoke coming from the building which contained several commercial businesses downstairs as well as an occupied upstairs residential apartment. All occupants were quickly evacuated and there were no reported injuries, Gloucester Township police said.
Gloucester Township Fire Departments from Blackwood, Chews Landing, Lambs Terrace, Blenheim, and Erial along with the Pine Hill Fire Department arrived and were able to place the fire under control, which was contained to a business on the first floor.
Inspira BLS and Virtua ALS also assisted.
The upstairs apartment was occupied by one family of five. They were displaced due to the fire and will be staying with family, police said.
A small portion of the Black Horse Pike was closed for several hours during the incident.
At this time the fire does not appear to be suspicious and will remain under investigation by the Fire Marshal from the Blackwood Fire Department Station 84, police said.
Police reminded others to check fire suppression systems including alerts and audible alarm systems to ensure they are operational. Smoke alarms are a key part of any fire escape plan. When there is smoke, there is fire which can spread quickly. Working smoke alarms give you early warning, so you can get outside quickly, police said in a press statement
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