Firefighters Battle Fire, Brutal Cold For 5 Hours In Somerset County: See Video

BERNARDSVILLE, NJ — It was a battle of fire and ice on Saturday night as volunteer firefighters worked overnight in near-zero temperatures to put out a commercial fire in Bernardsville. (See drone video below)

The fire was reported at 11:30 p.m. on Saturday on Rip Rap Rd in the Quarry Industrial complex.

Bernardsville Fire Co. No. 1 & First Aid Squad found a fully involved commercial building with fire spreading to multiple containers and trucks, according to the fire department.

Firefighters issued a first alarm, and a water tanker task force, a full hazmat team, and multiple volunteer neighboring fire departments were called to help.

"Below-zero temperatures added additional complexities to the assignment, requiring salt trucks and warming buses for first responders," said Bernardsville Fire Co.

Basking Ridge Fire Co. No 1 & EMS set up a water fill site due to the lack of hydrants and freezing conditions.

"Members worked between the fill site and fireground, assisting with fire knockdown and overhaul for nearly five hours in near-zero temperatures with sustained winds," said the Basking Ridge Fire Co.

Three trucks were damaged from the fire and there were no injuries. The cause of the fire is unknown.

"Bernardsville firefighters along with all of our mutual aid departments from the area did an excellent job of preventing further fire extension to other trucks," said Bernardsville Fire Chief Keith Keilling to Patch. "Conditions during the fire were brutal, with temperatures around 1 degree and wind chills of -15 degrees."

See drone video of the fire, courtesy of North Jersey Drone Shots:

"The vast majority of fire companies operating last night are 100 percent volunteer. Every community depends on people willing to answer the call — no matter the time or weather," said the Basking Ridge Fire Co.

The following units helped with the fire or served as station coverage:

• Liberty Corner Fire Company
• Far Hills-Bedminster Fire Department
• Peapack Gladstone Fire Department
• Basking Ridge Fire Co. No 1 & EMS
• Morris Plains Fire Department
• Fairmount Fire Company No.1, Long Valley, NJ
• New Vernon Volunteer Fire Department
• Pottersville Volunteer Fire Company, Pottersville, NJ
• Ralston Engine Company No.1
• Chester Volunteer Fire Company, Chester, NJ
• Somerset County Hazmat
• Elizabeth Avenue Fire
• Somerset County Fire Coordinators
• Bradly Gardens EMS
• Morris County MAB
• Morris County fire coordinators
• Brookside Engine Company 1
• Martinsville Volunteer Fire Department
• Green Knoll Fire Department

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