Several fire departments
respond to Jan. 9 blaze
HAMMONTON—A fire destroyed a home on the 500 block of Walnut Street at 5:06 p.m. on January 9, Hammonton Police Chief Kevin Friel said.
“Police dispatch received a call in reference to a porch on fire in the 500 block of Walnut Street. Upon arrival, the house was engulfed in flames. All the residents and animals had safely exited the residence with no injuries,” Friel said.
The Hammonton Fire Department responded and several area departments assisted, extinguishing the blaze, Friel said.
“The structural integrity of the residence was compromised due to the blaze and mass amounts of water. The scene was secured and fire investigators returned the following morning to more safely investigate the cause of the fire,” Friel said.
The fire does not appear suspicious but is under investigation to determine the cause of the blaze, Friel said.
In other police news, a suspicious vehicle that was blocking Vine Street near Central Avenue at 9:22 p.m. on January 10 led to a warrant arrest, Friel said.
Officer Matthew Heiser observed a white pickup truck towing a white sedan in the roadway in the area of Vine Street and Central Avenue.
“It was blocking Vine Street,” Friel said.
Heiser made contact with the owner of the vehicle who said he was purchasing the sedan from another male subject who was standing nearby, Friel said.
During the encounter, the name that was provided by the seller was Enrique Franco, Friel said. The subject was later positively identified as Juvenal Duranalmanza, 34, of Hammonton, Friel said.
He was found to have an active warrant in the amount of $478 from Hammonton Joint Municipal Court, Friel said. He was taken into custody and charged with hindering apprehension, obstruction of the administration of law and exhibiting false documents as proof of identification, Friel said.
Duranalmanza was transported to police headquarters for processing and released pending a court appearance in Atlantic County Superior Court, Friel said. He was also released on his own recognizance for the Hammonton Joint Municipal Court warrant, Friel said.
Heiser was the investigating and arresting officer, Friel said.
This report is comprised of arrests and investigations made by the men and women of local enforcement. All suspects and arrested are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.