60 Battle Fire At 2 Middletown Homes Amid Searing Heat

MIDDLETOWN, NJ — Two homes were damaged Saturday morning when a recreational vehicle caught fire in the Belford section of Middletown, a fire official said.

There were no injuries as a result of the fire on Apple Valley Drive, which 60 firefighters fought for more than an hour in the high heat and humidity, said Dennis W. Fowler, Middletown Township Fire Department public information officer. The air temperature was 95 degrees but the heat index was over 100 degrees at the time of the fire.

The fire was reported at 11:47 a.m. and firefighters from all six Middletown companies —Brevent, Belford Engine, Community, East Keansburg, Belford Independent and River Plaza — responded. The residents of 520 Apple Valley Dr. were out of the house, but firefighters and police officers evacuated a disabled person from 524 Apple Valley Dr., Fowler said.

The RV, which was parked between the two homes, was destroyed in the fire, which Chief Steve Schweizer declared under control at 1:19 p.m. and all units were clear at 2:45 p.m.

The home at 524 Apple Valley Dr. sustained heavy damage to its exterior that was closest to the fire and heavy smoke damage throughout the home, while the home at 520 Apple Valley Dr. sustained heavy damage to the first floor and attic on the portion closest to the fire, Fowler said.

In addition to Middletown firefighters, the Middletown Township Fire Department Air and Safety units responded, as did 2- EMS members from Atlantic Highlands, Port Monmouth First Aid and Leonardo First Aid squads, who assisted the firefighters with cooling down because of the extreme temperatures. The Monmouth County Mobile Ambulance Bus, Jersey Central Power & Light and New Jersey Natural Gas also responded.

The fire is being investigated by the Middletown Township Fire Marshal’s office.