House Fire Deep In Sourland Mountain Causes Challenges For Hillsborough Firefighters

HILLSBOROUGH, NJ — Narrow road and rural conditions presented challenges for volunteer firefighters fighting a house fire on Tuesday night in Hillsborough.

On Tuesday at around 7:54 p.m., the Hillsborough Township Police Department and Fire Departments responded to 29 Pschorn Lane, an unimproved road on the Sourland Mountain, for a reported residential structure fire.

Responding officers saw a single-family residence fully engulfed in flames, with heavy black smoke emanating from the structure, said Hillsborough Police Sergeant Kulbeer Singh.

"This area has no municipal water so in addition to a typical first alarm, tankers from Montgomery Co. 1 and Amwell Valley and an engine from Montgomery Co. 2 are assigned to assist with water supply," according to Flagtown Fire/Rescue - Hillsborough Volunteer Fire Co. #1. "Additionally, the physical location of the property on a narrow, unpaved road led to a number of challenges including access and water supply."

A second alarm was issued, which brought in more tanker trucks. A total of 12 loads were pumped to the scene, totaling around 45,000 gallons of water shuttled by tankers.

Firefighters worked for several hours to contain and extinguish the fire before the fire was brought under control.

Additionally, we responded with our Special Services unit and UTV.

All residents had safely evacuated the home before emergency personnel arrived, and no injuries were reported.

The fire does not appear to be suspicious in nature. The incident remains under investigation by the Hillsborough Township Police Department and the Hillsborough Township Bureau of Fire Safety.

The following agencies responded: Hillsborough Township Police Department, Hillsborough Township Fire Marshall, Hillsborough Fire Company’s 36, 37, 38, Montgomery Fire Company’s 1 and 2, Readington Fire Company, North Branch Fire Company, Amwell Valley Fire Company, Three Bridges Fire Company, Griggstown Fire Company, Hillsborough Township OEM, Robert Wood Johnson EMS, Hillsborough Township Building Department, and PS&EG.

Flagtown Fire Company is made up of volunteers. Interested in joining? Visit flagtownfd.com or facebook.com/flagtownfd.

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