Full Notification

On February 19, 2025, at approximately 0849 hours, the Middle Township Police Department was notified of smoke coming from a storage unit at Burleigh Storage in the Burleigh section of Middle Township. Upon the officers' arrival it was found that several units were fully engulfed in fire.  Fire department personnel were immediately dispatched to the scene. One subject was transported to Cooper Medical Center for smoke inhalation.

An investigation of the fire was conducted by the Middle Township Police Department Major Crimes Unit, Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office, Cape May County Fire Marshal’s Office and the New Jersey State Fire Marshal’s Office.  The investigation revealed, Salvatore Gellura of Green Creek, was working in his storage unit and lit carboard in a metal container allegedly to keep warm.  A short time later, the fire spread beyond the container and Gellura was unable to control it.  Gellura was charged with Arson, 3^rd Degree Crime and False Reports to Law Enforcement, 4^th Degree Crime.  Gellura was processed and lodged in the Cape May County Correctional Facility. 

Also assisting in the investigation are the Cape May Courthouse Fire Department, Green Creek Fire Department, Rio Grande Fire Department, Stone Harbor Fire Department, Ocean View
Fire Department, Goshen Fire Department, Erma Fire Department, Dennis Township Fire Department, AtlantiCare EMS and Command, Middle Township EMS, Cape May County OEM, Cape May County CBRNE, New Jersey DEP, Cape May County MUA, and Middle Township Public Works.  

Any charges are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent until and unless they are proven guilty.