Horses Saved, 3-Alarm Fire Destroys Barn In Hillsborough: Video

HILLSBOROUGH, NJ — Horses being boarded in Hillsborough were saved before a three-alarm fire destroyed a barn on Saturday night. (Photos and video below)

"Thank you to all of Hillsborough's best who responded to the barn fire to save the animals and prevent further damage last night," said Hillsborough Mayor Shawn Lipani

On Saturday at around 8:25 p.m., a witness reported that a barn at 1548 Millstone River Rd. in Hillsborough was on fire, said Hillsborough Police Sgt. Joseph Paschall.

When police arrived they saw the "fully involved" fire at the barn behind the home. The barn had a large amount of hay and horses.

All the horses were removed from the barn when the fire first started and were unharmed. No injuries were reported due to the fire, said Paschall.

Hillsborough's Flagtown Fire Station operated as a "source pumper" providing a water supply from the portable tanks which were supported by a water tanker shuttle. The fire department's tanker ran 11 loads of water, totaling about 300,000 gallons hauled with 10 other tankers from area departments also helping, said Flagtown Fire/Rescue - Hillsborough Volunteer Fire Co. #1.

It took firefighters from all over Somerset County about six hours to completely extinguish the fire.

The building suffered significant damage and can no longer be used at this time, said Paschall.

The fire was investigated by the Hillsborough Township Police Department and the Hillsborough Township Fire Safety Bureau and was not believed to be suspicious in nature at this time, but the investigation is continuing.

The following agencies responded to the scene: Hillsborough Police Department, Hillsborough OEM, Hillsborough Building Department and PSE&G. In addition, the following fire departments also assisted in this incident: Hillsborough Fire Stations 36, 37, 38, Hillsborough Fire Safety Bureau, Neshanic 48, Millstone Valley 28, Raritan Boro 52, Manville 42, Montgomery #1 45, Readington 32, Griggstown 35, Warren 61, Green Knoll 34, Millstone Valley 28, Middlebush 44, Elizabeth Ave 26, Rocky Hill 53, Somerset #1 56, and standby units were Finderne 30 and Bradley Gardens 21. The Somerset County Fire Coordinators also assisted during this investigation. Rescue squads that responded were RWJ EMS units and Montgomery EMS. The Somerset County Sheriff’s Office also offered mutual aid for traffic control.

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