Explosion Reported Before Fire Breaks Out At Country Club In Wayne: Officials

WAYNE, NJ — Wayne fire crews battled a blaze on the property of Preakness Hills Country Club on Monday night, after a possible explosion was reported.

Firefighters arrived to the club (1050 Ratzer Road) shortly after 9 p.m. to find flames coming from one of the maintenance buildings, according to Fire Commissioner Frank Velardi. The fire was burning close to a fuel storage tank, and a "large storage container containing hazardous materials," he said.

Crews began cooling the tank so it would not explode, while working with golf course staff to determine what chemicals were in the storage container and how best to protect the firefighters. Velardi said the chemicals were believed to include fertilizer.

There were no injuries reported and the club itself was not damaged, Velardi said.

Volunteer Fire Companies 3 and 4 arrived first, according to service call records. Company #5 later arrived to assist once a second alarm was called, and firefighters had the scene under control by 11:30 p.m.

Companies 1 and 2 were on standby to cover any additional calls for service.

The Wayne Fire Inspection Bureau will investigate the cause of the blaze.