One Dead in South Jersey Motel Fire

A fire has killed one guest at a south Jersey motel.

Firefighters outside the room at the Travel Inn in Lumberton where a fire broke out (CBS Philly)

Flames broke out at the Travel Inn on Route 38 at the Mt. Holly Bypass in Lumberton around 8:30 a.m. and was contained to one room of the motel according to NBC 10.

Lumberton Police Chief Tony DiLoreto told 6 ABC. "They were able to pull one adult male subject out of the room. Unfortunately, it is a fatality."

The Burlington County prosecutor's office says Matthew Hempel, a lieutenant with Evesham Fire-Rescue, was driving by when he spotted the fire and responded. Hempel entered the man's room several times, despite the smoke and flames, until he was able to locate him and carry him out. Hempel was treated for smoke inhalation.

The identity of the elderly man has not been released; the motel's manager says he was a weekly renter. A red sheet was hanging over the front of Room 309.

One firefighter suffered smoke inhalation when he was overcome by the thick smoke inside the room reports 6 ABC. It took firefighters about 20 minutes to bring the fire under control.

The fire is under investigation by the Burlington County Fire Marshall's Office; Burlington County Prosecutor's Office and Lumberton Poilice according to the Burlington County Times. foul play has not been ruled out