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CHERRY HILL, N.J. – A downed tree sparked a blaze that engulfed two vehicles and left several high-rise apartment buildings without power on Thursday afternoon, January 30, according to local fire officials.
The Cherry Hill Fire Department responded around 3:31 p.m. to reports of a tree collapsed onto a car with live power lines lying on the ground. Upon arrival, crews found two vehicles fully ablaze. Officials determined the tree struck primary power lines, igniting the fire. The cause of the tree’s fall remains under investigation, and fire officials said they could not confirm whether weather played a role.
No injuries were reported. However, because the downed lines remained energized, firefighters had to wait roughly 90 minutes for utility crews to de-energize the wires before they could extinguish the flames.
The incident knocked out power to four high-rise apartment buildings, a nearby residential building, and a senior living community, which switched to emergency generators. Fire officials estimated power would return to the high-rises within two to three hours, with the other properties restored sooner.
Residents described hearing a loud explosion followed by a power surge. “At about 3:30 we heard an explosion and the power surged,” said Jonathan Walker, a resident. Jason Klink, another resident, added, “I saw the tree had fallen on the car and it was just fully engulfed. Scary. Absolutely crazy. I’ve never seen something like that so close to my home.”
With summer heat lingering, Klink expressed concern about the conditions inside the buildings. “It’s getting hot in there, especially we’re on the back side of the building where the sun is setting,” he said. “It’s completely hot in there and we have pets.”
Among those affected was Andre Dossantos, an Air Force veteran whose vehicle was damaged. He relies on the car to drive his wife to chemotherapy treatments in New York. “I need the car for my wife,” Dossantos said. “She’s going through chemo cancer treatments, so we go up to New York for that.” He said bystanders warned him away from the vehicle due to the live wires. “I got down here before there was a fire and I was running to the car, and there were electric lines and everyone was like, ‘Don’t go near the car,’” he recalled. After the scene was declared safe, Dossantos was able to move his car to a different parking spot. He hopes the damage is repairable. “Hopefully it’s not too bad where I can still at least get around,” he said.
Update: Power restored to all buildings
By early evening, utility crews confirmed that electricity had been fully restored to all affected buildings. The Cherry Hill Fire Department is reminding residents to stay at least 30 feet away from any downed power lines and to report them immediately. The cause of the tree falling remains under investigation, with no official link to recent weather patterns. The National Weather Service reported no severe weather in the area at the time of the incident.
Insurance and safety tips for drivers
Vehicle owners whose cars were damaged in the fire are advised to contact their insurance companies promptly. The New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance recommends documenting the damage with photos and keeping receipts for any towing or storage costs. Fire officials also urge drivers to never approach a vehicle that is in contact with power lines, even if the lines appear de-energized.
The incident highlights the dangers of fallen trees near power infrastructure, especially during seasonal storms. Cherry Hill residents are encouraged to report hazardous trees to the municipality for trimming or removal to prevent future accidents.
