PIKE CREEK, DELAWARE (4/10/2015) One person died and two others were injured after a fire broke out at the Possum Park Apartments this morning, authorities said. It was the second fatal fire of the day in Delaware.
The blaze was reported in apartment G1 at 630 Capitol Trail (Route 2) shortly after 10 a.m. Initial reports were that a female was trapped in the living room.
Firefighters from Aetna Hose, Hook & Ladder Company of Newark found flames shooting from the ground floor of the three-story building when they arrived. The body of the victim was found as firefighters worked to extinguish the blaze, said Michael Chionchio, assistant state fire marshal.
The victim’s name was not released pending an autopsy to make positive identification, Chionchio said.
Investigators are trying to determine how the fire started.
One resident was injured jumping from the burning building, Chionchio said. She was being treated at Christiana Hospital for multiple fractures and was in stable condition.
A firefighter suffered burns and was treated at Christiana, then sent home.
Chionchio said damage was estimated at $250,000.
The American Red Cross is assisting displaced residents. Chionchio didn’t know the exact number of displaced tenants.
Volunteers from Christiana and Mill Creek fire companies were among those responding.
Fatal fire at Oak Orchard apartments