Flames Reached 40 Feet Between Berkeley Heights and Watchung

BERKELEY HEIGHTS, NJ — A fire that started last Friday between Berkeley Heights and Watchung, resulted in flames that reached 40 feet high, according to the Berkeley Heights fire department.

Three fire trucks from Berkeley Heights and two from Watchung had to be called before the fire was contained at around 6:35 PM.

When the firefighters first got to the scene, on the south side of Connell Drive, the fire was just burning through leaves and grass. Due to dry conditions and winds from the west, things quickly escalated.

The fire raced through low-lying marsh with a heavy amount of common reed, quickly spreading through 2 acres in about five minutes.

Two trucks from the New Jersey Forest Fire were called to help with extinguishing several spot fires that started on the Watchung side near Valley Road.

Firefighters cleared the scene at 7:45 PM.