Fiery July 4th Weekend In Somerset County: Multiple Car, House Fires Reported

SOMERSET COUNTY, NJ — Volunteer firefighters were busy this July 4th weekend across Somerset County, working to extinguish house and car fires.

July 4:

Warren

On Friday, July 4 at around 8:55 p.m., several 911 calls reported a structure fire on Avon Road.

Members of the Warren Township Police Department, the Warren Township Volunteer Fire Department, along with numerous other fire departments from surrounding towns, responded.

The fire was later extinguished and contained to the one home. The home was unoccupied at the time, and no injuries were reported to any residents or emergency personnel on scene, according to a joint statement from the Warren Township Police and Warren Township Volunteer Fire Departments.

A preliminary investigation into the cause of the fire classified it as "accidental, undetermined, possibly electrical in nature," according to the statement.

At 10:28 p.m., while crews from the Finderne Fire Department were still helping in Warren, they were called to a dumpster fire on Stratford Place.

Branchburg

On Friday at around 11:42 p.m., a structure fire was reported at 215 Glen Crest Drive in Branchburg.

Firefighters arrived at the single-story ranch to find heavy smoke on all four sides and fire coming from the back of the house, according to Readington Volunteer Fire Company.

Branchburg Police Officers confirmed that the home was evacuated and that the residents were at a safe distance from the active fire, said Branchburg Police Captain Edward Edgar.

"Patrol further confirmed that the residence was fully engulfed in flames. Readington Fire, Neshanic Fire, Country Hills Fire, North Branch Fire, Bradley Gardens Fire, and Flagtown Fire arrived on scene shortly after," said Edgar.

"The fire was put under control around the hour mark. Quick responses and crews worked well to minimize the damage to the structure," said the Readington Fire Department.

The Branchburg Rescue Squad also arrived to help, however, there were no injuries reported as a result of the fire at this time. Branchburg Township's Fire Official also responded to the scene to assess the situation.

An initial on-scene investigation determined that there were no outward indications of anything of a suspicious nature observed on scene, said Edgar.

After the fire was safely extinguished, the scene was turned over to the Branchburg Fire Official for further investigation.

July 5:

Bridgewater

On Saturday at 2:45 p.m., a car fire was reported on Interstate 287 South at mile marker 18.2.

The Green Knoll Fire Department extinguished the fire. There were no injuries.

July 6:

Somerville

On Sunday, the Somerville Fire Department was called to 197 East Main Street for a reported fire. Firefighters were met with smoke showing from the rear.

A partially extinguished room and contents fire was found inside one of the apartments, said the fire department.

Crews were able to fully extinguish the fire without any further extension.

An investigation revealed it was started by an unattended candle, which caused a chair and part of a wall to ignite, said Somerville Police Captain Anthony Brattole.

The fire department determined there was nothing suspicious. No injuries reported, said Brattole.

Volunteer:

All of the fire departments that responded to fires this weekend are made up of volunteers. To find out more information on volunteering, click on the fire department's name above.

Have a news tip? Email alexis.tarrazi@patch.com.