Ocean City Father Rescues Children in House Fire

By MADDY VITALE A father of three hurried his children to safety early Tuesday morning when a fire tore through the family home on Ferndale Drive in Ocean City. “It was around 6:15 a.m. I got them out as fast as I could,” Dan Bogdan said as he watched firefighters walk around the charred remains of his home. “I grabbed the baby and got out.” Ocean City firefighters got a call for a house fire at 1912 Ferndale Drive at around 6:30 a.m. When they arrived, fire was engulfing all floors of the rear side of the two-and-a-half-story home and extended up through the attic area, according to a city news release. There were no injuries to Bogdan and the three children. Megan Bogdan, the wife and mother, was at work at the time of the fire. Firefighters rescued the family dog. One firefighter suffered a minor injury that did not require immediate medical attention, the release said. Fire Chief Jim Smith said of Dan Bogdan’s bravery and quick action, “The father was incredible, keeping calm and removing the three kids quickly.” The Bogdans watched as firefighters walked the property of their family home. A fire truck remained on scene in the late morning. The home at 1912 Ferndale Drive suffers extensive damage. Contents of their home were scattered about the lawn. Household items, a baby seat and boxes and clothing were soaked and blackened by smoke. The home suffered extensive damage, according to city officials. Online real estate records indicate that the home, located in the bayside Riviera section of the city, was built in 1965. The cause of the fire is unknown at this time and remains under investigation. Firefighters were able to contain the fire to the Bogdan home. Fire crews went into two neighboring houses that were considered fire exposure hazards. The firefighters completed searches of the adjacent homes and protected them by using multiple water lines. The homes suffered limited heat damage. Smith credited the firefighters for a job well done. “The firefighters did a great job,” he said. A full fire department recall of all off-duty members was initiated to assist with the fire and provide backup for potential other emergency calls. The Ocean City Fire Department response included three engines, two ambulances and one truck. Mutual aid assistance was provided by the Marmora Volunteer Fire Company, Somers Point Volunteer Fire Company, Margate Fire Department's Rapid Intervention Team and the New Jersey State Fire Marshal’s Office.