NJ Firefighter Battles House Fire While Dressed as Santa Claus

Firefighter Responds to Blaze in Santa Suit

• 🎅 A firefighter, Michael Hawkins, was responding to a house fire in Old Bridge, New Jersey, while still dressed as Santa Claus.
• 🚒 Hawkins was participating in a Santa Run spreading holiday cheer when the call for a structure fire came in.
• ⏱️ There was no time to change, so he removed his wig, hat, and beard to avoid interference and immediately joined his engine company.

Firefighting Efforts and Impact

• 💧 Hawkins' role was to supply water to the firefighters actively engaged in battling the blaze and making entry into the house.
• 🔥 The fire was described as a "full-blown fire" and moved too quickly for family members to save their home, despite Christmas decorations still being visible on the lawn.
• 💔 The incident occurred just before Christmas, making the home fire a particularly devastating tragedy.

Community Support and Spirit

• 🤝 A GoFundMe page has been established to assist the affected family with their recovery.
• ✨ Hawkins hopes the attention he's received will inspire the Christmas spirit and encourage support for the family.
• 🩹 No one was injured in the fire, but the home was engulfed by flames.