Car Crashes Into Home, Residents Evacuated In Westfield

WESTFIELD, NJ — A car crashed into a Westfield home prompting residents to evacuate on Monday.

On March 25 at 3:22 p.m., the Westfield Fire Department were called to the report of a vehicle into a structure on the 700 block of North Avenue West.

The first Westfield Fire Department units arrived on scene at 3:25 p.m., to find a 2 1/2-story single family dwelling, with a vehicle halfway through the foundation of the right side of the residence, said Westfield Fire Chief Michael Duelks.

Firefighters immediately made sure all occupants were accounted for from the vehicle and the home was safely evacuated.

Upon further investigation, Fire Department personnel found severe structural damage to the foundation and floor joists of division one. The right side of the dwelling, along with an exterior porch was no longer supported through the structural foundation and was in danger of a collapse., said Duelks.

The incident required extreme shoring measures.

The Union County Tech Rescue Task Force was requested to the scene. Additional Westfield Fire Department members were requested to stage at Fire Headquarters to cover the town for additional calls.

The Westfield Police Department helped with providing traffic safety, crowd control, and securing the scene. The Westfield Rescue Squad, along with emergency medical services from around the county, assisted in providing firefighter rehabilitation.

No injuries were reported.

All Fire Department units cleared the scene at 7:20 p.m.

The following resources responded and operated at the scene: Union County Tech Rescue, Union Squad, Elizabeth Engine 7, Elizabeth Rescue 1, Elizabeth Ladder 1, Milburn Shoring Unit, and Newark Rescue 2.

The Westfield Fire Department reminds everyone that working smoke alarms save lives. Make sure that your smoke alarms are tested monthly and are less than 10 years old. For more information on fire safety, contact the Westfield Fire Prevention Bureau at fireprevention@westfieldnj.gov.

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