FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP, N.J. (Sept. 13, 2025) — Fire crews battled a large mulch pile fire Saturday morning at a commercial facility on Croton Road, officials said.

The blaze was first spotted around 9 a.m. after residents reported a haze in Quakertown, initially believed to be from regional wildfire smoke. Responding units saw a heavy column of smoke and traced it to the facility.

Quakertown Fire Company set up Ladder 91 while Engine 91 drafted from a pond on site. Additional tenders supplied water, and companies operated about four hours before returning for several hours of cleanup.

Mutual aid was provided by Kingwood, Delaware, Amwell Valley and Raritan township fire units, along with the New Jersey Forest Fire Service and Franklin Township Bureau of Fire Prevention.