Blaze Damages Norwich Place Condo Units; Nine Families Displaced, Several Fire Fighters Injured

An early-morning blaze on Norwich Place displaced nine families April 25. (Photo: Somerset Fire & Rescue Company No. 1).

Several fire fighters were reportedly injured and nine families were displaced as a result of a fire in a multi-unit dwelling on Norwich Place April 25.

None of the homes’ residents were injured in the fire, police said.

Police said a 9-1-1 call on the fire was received at 6:52 a.m., and responding officers were greeted by the sight of heavy black smoke and flames billowing out of the structure.

The original 9-1-1 caller reported hearing explosions  before the fire broke out, according to a Facebook post by Somerset Fire & Rescue Company No. 1

Fire fighters from throughout the township responded while neighboring companies provided backup, according to a press release from the Franklin Township Police Department.

Also on-scene were EMS personnel from the East Millstone First Aid Squad and Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, according to the release.

The residents who were displaced were forced to stay with family and friends as a result of the smoke, fire and water damage to the building.

According to the Facebook post by Somerset Fire & Rescue Co. No. 1, one of their fire fighters and “several others” sustained minor injuries during the fire. They were treated at an area hospital and released, the post said.

Fire fighters battled the blaze for three hours, according to the post, but units stayed on for four hours.

Detectives from the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Fire Investigation Unit, Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit and the Franklin Township Police Department have an on-going, joint investigation into the cause and origin of the fire, according to the press release.

Anyone with information on the fire is asked to contact the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit at (908) 231-7100, or the Franklin Township Police Department at (732) 873-5533 or via the STOPit app. The STOPit app allows citizens to provide anonymous reports including videos and photos. STOPit can be downloaded to your smart phone for free at the Google Play Store or Apple App Store, access code: SOMERSETNJ. Information can also be provided through the Somerset County Crime Stoppers’ Tip Line at 1-888-577-TIPS (8477) or online at www.888577tips.org or at www.scpo.net and click on either “Crime Stoppers” or “TIPS HOTLINE”. All anonymous Crime Stopper tips will be kept confidential.

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