8 Metuchen Families Displaced After Fire Damages Apartment Complex

METUCHEN, NJ — Eight Metuchen families were displaced after a fire blazed through an apartment complex on Friday morning. Mayor Jonathan M Busch said.

Just after 11 a.m. on Saturday, the Metuchen Fire Company was dispatched to an apartment complex on the West side of the Borough.

On arrival, firefighters encountered heavy smoke and fire from two floors and multiple sides.

Firefighters battled the blaze for almost five hours, and 17 members cleared the scene, the Metuchen Fire Department said.

Two residents suffered injuries and residents of eight units were displaced, Busch said.

The borough’s Office of Emergency Management coordinated with the American Red Cross to support the displaced residents and It Takes A Borough (ITAB) evaluated their needs and is helping raise money for them.

“Several of the victims are immigrants and they are part of the very fabric of our community. You might even recognize them because they work as staff at our local restaurants and businesses. Like many of our own family members, some came to the United States with little or nothing in the hopes of a better life,” Busch said.

“I was touched by their resilience. Young children, mothers, fathers, grandparents - they shared how much they love Metuchen, their fears about loss of work, loss of essential papers and precious belongings.”

A fundraiser has been started to help the families and Busch urged community members to come forward and help those in need. As of Monday, $21, 637 was raised. All donations received will go directly to the impacted families

The fire remains under investigation, authorities said.

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