Fires On The Rise In Somerset County

SOMERSET COUNTY, NJ — The year 2020 is already off to a busy start for firefighters in Somerset County with many house and business fires reported including the massive blaze in Bound Brook. As the winter time is historically busy for fire departments in this area of the country, officials are reminding residents to stay safe.

In Warren, a fire believed to have been started by a bad electrical wire to a Christmas tree set a home on fire on Jan. 11.

On Jan. 12 a massive 7-alarm fire ripped through downtown Bound Brook.

In Raritan on Jan. 19 a fire destroyed a Somerville EMT's home. On Jan. 22 a neighbor helped save a Bridgewater family and their home from a chimney fire in Martinsville.

On Jan. 24 and 25 Hillsborough had two fires including a brush fire that spread onto a home and a roof fire was reported to an industrial building.

These are just some of the fire calls volunteer departments have been responding to.

Raritan Fire Department Chief Brian Kredatus said his department has responded to five structure fires since November while Finderne Fire Department Deputy Chief Tom Marshall said his department has responded to eight this year alone.

Bradley Gardens Volunteer Fire Company Chief Pete Chetwynd said his department has responded to four recent structure fires. Liberty Corner Volunteer Fire Company Carl Blanchard said there haven't been any structure fires reported inside the township, but they did respond to help at the Bound Brook blaze.

Chetwynd noted the amount of fires comes in waves. "It can be quiet for months and then be hit with a wave all at once," he said.

This time of year is prone to having more reported fires due to the use of extension cords, space heaters, improper maintenance of chimneys, furnaces, dried out Christmas trees, Warren Township Fire Department Chief Jim Mitchell said.

"In the past few years, Bernards Township has had several working structure fires caused by chimneys," said Bernards Township Fire Official Mark Sylvester.

About 890 people die in winter home fires nationwide each year, according to the United States Fire Administration. These winter home fires add up to $2 billion in property loss annually.

"Often times, fires can be prevented if people take the appropriate actions to keeping their homes safe," Sylvester said.

Sylvester offered tips for residents to stay safe this season:

• Most importantly I would recommend that residents test their smoke alarms in their homes. Smoke alarms should be tested monthly and replaced every 10 years.
• Only have one heat producing appliance plugged into an electrical outlet at a time.
• Have a qualified professional clean and inspect your chimney and vents every year.
• Ensure that you store cooled ashes in a tightly covered metal container, and keep it outside at least 10 feet from your home or any nearby building.

All Somerset County fire companies, except in North Plainfield, are entirely volunteer. Firefighters rush out from their jobs, miss family events and are ready at all hours of the day to help others.

These same fire departments need your help to continue helping residents. Check with your local fire department to find out how you can volunteer and help.

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