Firefighters battled a two-alarm fire in sub-freezing temperatures early Wednesday morning that destroyed several unoccupied townhouses under construction near Iron Gate Road in the Sicklerville section of Gloucester Township.
No injuries were reported in the 3:51 a.m. blaze, police said. Early reports said a waterline was more than a mile away and the fire may have been fueled by an exposed gas line. Utility crews were requested and the fire was reported under control in 30 minutes.
The inferno gutted several residences, including the second floor and attic of one of the dwellings, according to early reports from the scene.
Fire departments from Gloucester Township, Pine Hill, Winslow, Lindenwold and Cherry Hill responded.
Officials said the fire is considered "suspicious" and will be investigated by the local fire marshal and the Camden County Prosecutor's Office.
Bill Duhart may be reached at bduhart@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @bduhart. Find NJ.com on Facebook.