Galloway fire: 8 condos affected, homeowner critical

Galloway condo fire leaves homeowner in intensive care and homes lost

An early morning fire in Galloway has shaken up a community as officials investigate the cause.

GALLOWAY, N.J. - An early morning fire in Galloway has left a community reeling as officials investigate the cause. 

Fire investigation and rescue efforts 

The fire started just before 4:00 a.m. on Waterview Drive in the Smithville section. 

Numerous fire officials rushed to the scene.

Galloway Township police officers Nicholas Stewart and John Parker, who are also volunteer firefighters, were the first to respond. 

They found a man in his 60s unresponsive in the burning condo. 

Officers Parker and Stewart pulled the man out to safety.

Assistant Fire Chief Chuck Uhl said, "It was bad, and so at the time they found the victim, there was no water on the fire, so the fire was raging, and they literally risked it all to go inside and save him." 

The man was airlifted to Temple Burn Center for treatment. 

Several fire crews remain on the scene as they continue to secure the property. 

Impact on the community 

Nicole White, a neighbor, expressed her concern, saying, "It really, yeah, it’s unsettling definitely." She added, "It just makes me really sad, there’s quite a bit of devastation here, especially this time of year. I just pray for that man and hope he’s OK." 

The fire has forced residents of seven other condos in the building to leave, uncertain of when they can return. 

Property management confirmed that all power to the building was shut off, and the condo where the fire started is a total loss. 

What we don't know:

The cause of the fire is still under investigation. 

The extent of damage to the other condos has yet to be fully assessed.