WOODBRIDGE, NJ - At around 2:33 P.M. on Easter Sunday, April 20th, Woodbridge and Avenel fire departments were dispatched to the 600 building of Maple Hill Drive for the reported unknown type fire. Around a minute after, dispatch advised incoming units they had multiple callers saying the house was on fire and that there was a dog inside, and that the deck of the residence was also on fire.

At around 2:37 P.M., battalion 3 stated he had a fire that extended into the building and requested a first-alarm box. Woodbridge Engine 1 pulled up in front of Truck 1 and secured a water supply while Truck 1 was setting up the ladder to go to the roof. Three minutes since the first arriving unit, crews had two lines stretched and working, a positive primary water supply.

It was deemed that it was a deck fire that had extended into the residence, and crews had heavy fire conditions in the rear kitchen of the building. A propane tank was found on the back deck and county hazmat was requested. The fire extended up through division 2, up into the cockloft. Avenel took the second line and advanced it into the attic division. Iselin’s engine company went in the bucket of Truck 1 and started venting the roof due to heavy fire conditions and conditions rapidly deteriorating. Crews had high heat and zero visibility. Companies also had fire in the walls impeaching exposure apartments.

At around 2:50 P.M., all visible fire on division 1 was knocked from the interior and exterior lines. There was still fire showing from the roof and attic divisions whilst Iselin was cutting the roof. At around 2:52 P.M., all visible fire was knocked in the attic. Deputy 1 took over command whilst battalion 3 took operations. Engine 2-2 and Engine 7-1 secured a secondary water supply.

At around 2:55 P.M., all exterior fire was reported to be knocked down, as well as a good headway in the attic. There was no extension in the basement, although there was a moderate smoke condition. At around 3:00 P.M., crews still had hot spots, but were unable to reach them due to the roof being unstable from too many holes.

All interior fire was knocked down and crews began overhaul and secondary searches. During secondary searches, a crew located the missing dog, found alive and well but with some smoke inhalation. It was taken by animal control to get further checked. After extensive overhaul and mopping up, the fire was marked under control. 

Units operating included Woodbridge Engine 1, Truck 1, Rescue 1; Port Reading Engine 2-2; Avenel Engine 5-1; Fords Engine 7-1; Hopelawn Rescue 8; Iselin Squad 9-6; Perth Amboy Engine 1;Edison Engine 3 Rescue 6.