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Officer saves Deptford man from house fire

A Deptford Township police officer rescued a resident trapped in a house fire overnight that is now being investigated as a possible arson, authorities said Monday.

A Deptford Township police officer rescued a resident trapped in a house fire overnight that is now being investigated as a possible arson, authorities said Monday.

Officer Timothy Parks kicked in the door of the home on the 100 block of Caribou Court in the Narraticon development off Delsea Drive, and removed Christopher Mach, 58, who lived alone, shortly before 4 a.m., the Gloucester County Prosecutor's Office said.

Mach suffered burns to roughly a third of his body. He is being treated at Temple University Hospital in Philadelphia.

Parks twisted a knee in the rescue attempt, authorities said.

A K-9 unit was called in to aid the investigation.

The blaze, which damaged the kitchen and living room, was brought under control within 30 minutes. It's cause has not been determined.

Gloucester County Fire Marshal Edward Johnson referred all calls to the prosecutor's office.

Bernie Weisenfeld, a spokesman for the Gloucester County Prosecutor's Office, said the blaze was being investigated as arson because it appeared suspicious.

Its cause is being investigated by the Gloucester County Prosecutor's Office and the Deptford Township Police Department. Authorities urge anyone with information on the blaze to call Det. John Petroski with the prosecutor's office at 856-384-5625.