Flames could be seen shooting from the house at 111 North Broadway as fire units arrived on scene. Watch video
PENNSVILLE TWP. -- Firefighters are on the scene of a massive house fire on North Broadway in Pennsville Township.
Flames could be seen shooting from the house at 111 North Broadway as fire units arrived on scene, just across from Delaware Avenue, around 8 a.m.
The building is John Jordan's law office and there is an apartment on the second floor, according to Police Chief Allen J. Cummings. Much of the structure collapsed from the fire.
Authorities on scene are warning people away from the area since gas service had not been shut off to the property.
A canteen was set up to help firefighters battling the blaze. Residents from around the area gathered to watch ongoing efforts to bring the fire under control.
Hannah and heard this pop and boom this house went up in flames :(
Posted by Maureen Fernandez on Tuesday, September 15, 2015
Broadway has been closed in the area of AJ's Tavern and authorities are on site directing traffic around the area.
No injuries have been reported.
The cause of the fire is not known at this time and remains under investigation.
Holly Sherman was in Wawa a block away when she heard an explosion a few minutes after 8 a.m. "It was really loud," she recalled.
"The whole left side went up in flames first," she said as she surveyed the smokey scene.
Henry Drew, who lives two blocks away on Oriental Avenue, was out walking his dog, Buddy, when he came open the fire scene. He said the house next door to the fire scene has been up for sale.
The vinyl siding on that home was melted on the side facing the blaze.
Heather Marple didn't hear an explosion but could see the smoke from Penn Terrace, less than a mile from the fire scene, as she was getting her kids on the school bus.
Smoke from the blaze could be seen from miles away.
Matt Gray may be reached at mgray@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @MattGraySJT. Find the South Jersey Times on Facebook.