UPDATE: Fire chief hurt in Wildwood deck collapse recounts the terror, says ‘everything pancaked’
At least 22 people were injured, including several firefighters, when multiple decks collapsed at a residential building in Wildwood.
The collapse created a mad scramble to search for victims during the Jersey Shore town’s annual firefighters weekend, according to multiple reports.
Photos and videos from the scene showed at least two large decks on a three-story building had collapsed and pancaked to the ground level. Emergency officials, many of them firefighters, could be seen attempting to lift one of the decks.
Officials told 6ABC.com that 22 people were taken to area hospitals, including three children. Two people were taken to area trauma centers, but no fatalities have been reported.
According to the Sussex County Fire Chief’s Association, upwards of eight members of the Branchville Fire Department and their family members were injured in the collapse. All but one were released from area hospitals.
“Everyone from Branchville Fire (is O.K.) in Wildwood,” said Randy Morse, a firefighter in Branchville, in a Facebook post. "Some bumps and bruises and some minor cuts. Everyone is at the hospital being treated. Thanks to everyone for (their) concern much appreciated.
It was unclear how many people were on the decks when they collapsed. Neighbors told the Press of Atlantic City that several of the injured were young children including infants.
The second and third floor decks appeared to have sheared off the building on the 200 block of East Baker Avenue, collapsing on a first floor deck. A fourth floor overhang for the upper deck remained intact over the collapse as rescuers worked the scene.
Dozens of people wearing shirts representing fire companies from throughout New Jersey could be seen crowded around the emergency response. The collapse occurred around 6 p.m.