House Fire Destroys Somerset County Home

A fire tore through a home in Basking Ridge, causing substantial damage, authorities said.

Bernards Township emergency services responded to a home at 221 Woods End for a structure fire at approximately 10 p.m. on Thursday, March 5, authorities said. The residents of the home were at home at the time of the fire, but were alerted by smoke detectors and were able to escape with the family dog.

Members of the Liberty Corner Fire Company arrived at the scene and were able to contain the fire after a few hours. Fire officials said the fire appeared to have started in the laundry room area and quickly spread to the rest of the home, causing substantial damage.

In addition to the Liberty Corner Fire Co., the Liberty Corner First Aid Squad, Basking Ridge Fire Co. and First Aid, Lyons VA Fire Department, Bernardsville Fire Department and First Aid Squad, Stirling Fire Department, Green Knoll First Aid Squad, Bernards Township Police Department, Bernard Township Office of Emergency Management, Bernards Township Department of Public Works and the Somerset County Office of Emergency Management all responded to the scene of the fire.

According to Liberty Corner Fire Chief Peter Aprahamian, one firefighter slipped on ice in the driveway of the residence, but was not transferred to the hospital.

No injuries were reported. The cause of the fire is still being investigated, but is not considered suspicious.

(Photos courtesy of Joe Friedman, Liberty Corner Fire Company)