4-Alarm Fire Engulfs Mercer Warehouse, Several Homes Evacuated

MERCER COUNTY, NJ — A four-alarm fire ripped through a warehouse in Hamilton early Thursday morning, causing homes in the neighborhood to be evacuated, officials said.

Around 12:30 a.m. on Thursday, Hamilton Fire Division was dispatched for a building fire at 533 Whitehead Road. The building was formerly occupied by Goodall Rubber and is now being operated by Hakim International Trading.

While en route, the Battalion Chief on duty was told about a large column of smoke visible from a distance from the location of the fire. The fire engine that arrived first on the scene reported a large fire on two floors and determined that defensive operations would be used, township officials said.

The fire was operating at four alarms with 26 firefighting units from 14 municipalities on the scene.

Several homes adjacent to the property were evacuated for safety and to assist with the firefighting response, township officials said.

The NJ Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) is also on scene taking air quality samples, and no concerns have been detected so far, officials said.

One firefighter sustained non-life-threatening injuries and was taken to Robert Wood Johnson Hospital in Hamilton.

The Hamilton Township Construction Officer said that portions of the building will require demolition.

Hamilton Police have closed multiple roads in the area, and detours have been established.

The intersection of Whitehead Road and Sweetbriar Avenue will be closed through Friday morning’s commute, officials said.

The incident is being investigated by the Hamilton Township Police, Hamilton Township Fire Investigation Unit, and the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office. Any witnesses are asked to contact the Hamilton Police Division at (609) 581-4000.

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