18 Residents Displaced, 4 Firefighters & 1 Cop Injured In Somerville Fire

SOMERVILLE, NJ — One Somerville Police Officer and four fighters were injured and 18 residents were displaced following a four-alarm fire that broke out in Downtown Somerville on Tuesday prompting an investigation by the Somerset County Prosecutor's Office(SCPO).

One officer was treated and released from a local hospital after suffering from smoke inhalation, said SCPO Chief of County Detectives Frank Roman Jr. to Patch.

Four firefighters also had minor injuries. Two were treated at the scene and cleared while the other two were treated at the hospital and later released, said Somerset County Prosecutor John P. McDonald.

There were no fatalities and no civilian injuries, said Roman.

Around 2 p.m. on Tuesday, a four-alarm fire broke out at a three-story building that housed restaurants King Tut and Mike's Courtside Kitchen and apartments above on the corner of W Main Street and South Bridge Street in Downtown Somerville.

In reference to where the fire started, Roman told Patch that "the origin of the fire is under investigation so we will not be in a position to disclose until we conduct the investigation."

• Related: 4-Alarm Fire Burns At 3-Story Somerville Building

The restaurant along with neighboring Mike's Courtside Kitchen had to be evacuated along with residents living above the businesses.

A total of 18 residents are displaced due to the fire, said Roman.

Red Cross of New Jersey reported their disaster volunteers responded to the fire and helped eight families with Red Cross emergency assistance for temporary lodging, food, clothing, and other immediate needs.

Firefighters from all over Somerset County and even some from Union County came to help Somerville Fire Department extinguish the blaze including Finderne, Bound Brook, Hillsborough Station 37, Hillsborough Station 36, Martinsville, Franklin Fire District 27, Franklin Fire District 56, Country Hills Fire Department, Green Knoll, Manville, Warren Township, Raritan Borough, Lyons VA, North Branch, and Liberty Corner.

Emergency medical personnel from Somerville, Martinsville, and Green Knoll also came to render
aid, along with officers from the Somerset County Sheriff’s Office who helped Somerville Police with traffic control of the affected area.

Personnel from the Somerset County Office of Emergency Management, including the Somerset County Fire Coordinator, responded to help with a unified command consisting of fire and police personnel.

The fire was deemed under control by almost 7 p.m., according to CJFireBuffs.

On Wednesday, the Downtown Someville Alliance announced that Main Street will be closed until further notice from Doughty Avenue to Grove Street.

"An investigation is taking place and the Downtown Somerville Alliance is working with the Somerville Borough to provide more information to residents and business owners," said Downtown Somerville New Jersey.

Detectives from the Somerville Police Department along with detectives from the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit and the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Fire Investigation Unit came to help Somerville Fire Officials in conducting the investigation.

The fire investigation remains ongoing, and the origin and cause of the fire is still under investigation.

Two residential/commercial structures were heavily damaged with residents being displaced.

"Thanks to the quick response from first responders, all the occupants of the buildings were safely evacuated and uninjured," said McDonald.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact the Somerset County Prosecutors Office Major Crimes Unit at 908-231-7100 or the Somerville Police Department at 908-725-0331 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). All anonymous STOPit reports, and Crime Stopper tips will be kept confidential.

Have a news tip? Email alexis.tarrazi@patch.com.