Underground Gas Fire Extinguished, Hillsborough Firefighters To Remain Overnight

Update: Millstone River Road has since reopened

HILLSBOROUGH, NJ — An underground gas fire that caused five families to be evacuated in Hillsborough has been extinguished. However, Millstone River Road remains closed as of 4:25 p.m. on Thursday.

Repairs will be ongoing overnight. As a measure of safety for the workers on site, volunteer Hillsborough firefighters will remain in the area working in five-hour shift rotations to relieve the career staff who have been on site for the day.

"On behalf of the Township Committee, I want to express my deepest gratitude to our dedicated first responders who have been working tirelessly since late last night to manage the underground gas main fire on Millstone River Road," said Mayor Catherine Payne.

Millstone River Road remains closed on Thursday night. It is unclear when final repairs will be completed.

The Flagtown Fire/Rescue - Hillsborough Volunteer Fire Co. #1 is asking the public to continue to avoid the area.

"The safety of our residents is our primary concern. Thanks to the swift and professional actions of the Hillsborough Township Police Department and our local fire companies, necessary evacuations were carried out quickly and without injury," said Payne.

Payne also thanked PSE&G for their efforts to stabilize the gas line and the Township Public Information Office for keeping residents informed on updates.

"Hillsborough is a resilient community, and it is in moments like these that we see the true strength of our local agencies working together to keep us safe," said Payne.

Fire

A transformer fire was first reported on Wednesday at around 10:05 p.m. near 1243 Millstone River Road.

Hillsborough Township Police saw a live electrical wire sparking on the ground and flames venting from a sewer drain, according to Township officials.

PSE&G crews determined that a leak in an underground gas pipeline was fueling the fire.

As a safety precaution, five families from the immediate area were evacuated. Officials reported there have been no injuries or damage to homes.

Fire Chief Chris Weniger noted, "that the evacuations were conducted out of an overabundance of caution to ensure resident safety while the fire continues to burn."

PSE&G continued working on Thursday to reduce pressure in the gas main.

OEM Director Bob Wagner said, "This process is required to allow crews to safely turn off the valve, extinguish the fire, and identify the specific sections of the pipeline requiring repair."

Millstone River Road is currently closed to all traffic between Claremont Drive and the Millstone River Road Bypass. Drivers should follow posted detours and expect significant delays in the area for the duration of the morning.

Several local and county agencies are helping, including the Hillsborough Township Police Department, the Hillsborough Fire Marshal, Hillsborough Fire Companies 36, 37, and 38, Hillsborough Township OEM, Somerset County OEM, and Robert Wood Johnson EMS.

Interested in volunteering or becoming a firefighter? Visit flagtownfd.com or email JoinUs@flagtownfd.com.

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