Heavy Winds Cause Utility Wire Fire In Princeton

PRINCETON, NJ — Heavy winds on Thursday caused a utility wire to catch fire on a tree in Princeton.

Around 10:30 a.m. heavy winds caused a wire to rub up against a tree and ignite about 20 feet up the tree, said Princeton Deputy Fire Chief Devin A. Davis.

Princeton Fire Department blocked the road to allow PSE&G to install a sleeve over the wire and mitigate the issue, Davis said.

The Princeton Fire Department also responded to a gas leak around 9 a.m. on Thursday at 20 Nassau St.

Firefighters investigated the first and second floors of the building and found significantly high readings on their meters, with the highest readings within the utility room by the common area, Davis said.

The businesses on the main floor were evacuated and the sidewalk was closed off to prevent any foot traffic.

PSE&G found the issue to be sewer gas coming through different sump pump pits and seeping into the building, Davis said.

PSE&G then took over the scene.

The Princeton Fire Department is always looking for volunteers to help. For more information on how to join the Princeton Fire Department visit princetonnj.gov/resources/how-to-join-the-fire-department.

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