05/26/2026
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: May 26, 2026
Incident Type: Structure Fire
Incident Date/Time: Saturday, May 23, 2026, at approximately 23:38 hours
Location: 700 block of East Cooper Ferry Court (Smithville)
GALLOWAY TOWNSHIP, NJ — On Saturday, May 23, 2026, at approximately 2338 hours, the Oceanville Volunteer Fire Company and Bayview Volunteer Fire Company were dispatched to the 700 block of East Cooper Ferry Court following reports of smoke inside a residence.
Upon arrival, fire crews observed heavy smoke showing from the structure, and a working fire was immediately declared. As arriving firefighters initiated interior fire attack operations, officers from the Galloway Township Police Department quickly coordinated and executed the evacuation of residents from adjoining apartments.
Due to the rapid intervention of first responders, the fire was successfully contained. There were no injuries reported to members of the public or responding personnel. Regrettably, one household pet was located deceased inside an affected unit.
The Galloway Township Fire Department extends its sincere gratitude to our mutual aid partners for their swift response and critical support on scene:
Port Republic Volunteer Fire Company
Absecon Fire Department
Galloway Township Ambulance Squad
South Egg Harbor
AtlantiCare Paramedics
The cause and origin of the fire remain under active joint investigation by the Galloway Township Police Department and the Galloway Township Fire Department's Fire Investigation Unit.
