Raritan Fire Destroys EMT's Home, Fundraiser Set Up

RARITAN, NJ — A Somerville Rescue Squad member lost everything in a fire that ripped through his home in Raritan borough on Sunday night.

The fire broke out around 6:30 p.m. at Ernie Hall's home on Quick Avenue. Raritan Fire Chief Brian Kredatus got to the home two minutes after the call and could see heavy smoke and fire coming from the side of the home.

Hall's family had been inside at the time of the fire but were able to get out with one of their dogs before authorities arrived, Kredatus said.

Raritan Borough Firefighters who entered the home were "faced with tough conditions" preventing them from being able to put out the fire from the inside, Kredatus said.

Crews were evacuated from the home due to unsafe conditions and then battled the fire from the outside. Units were on scene for nearly four hours, Kredatus said.

Along with losing his home, Hall's second dog Rosie is also missing.

"It's unknown if she made it out of the house, but we are staying optimistic and asking the community to keep an eye out," Somerville Rescue Squad posted.

Rosie is a black terrier mix with a plastic cone collar on her head due to surgery. If seen, contact Hall, at 908-655-7298.

A fundraiser has been set up to help Hall and his family get back on his feet. To donate click here.

Along with the Raritan Fire Department, fire departments who responded included Somerville Fire Department, Country Hills Fire Department, Bradley Gardens Fire Department, Finderne Fire Department, North Branch Fire Department, Raritan Police Department, Somerset County Fire and EMS Mutual Aid Coordinators, Branchburg Rescue Squad and Somerville Rescue Squad.

It is unclear if anyone was home at the time of the fire. A call made by Patch to the Raritan Police and Fire requesting more information was not immediately returned.

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