Hillsborough Firefighters Responded to Large Warehouse Fire on Belmont Drive
Photo by Courtesy of Flagtown Fire/Rescue - Hillsborough Volunteer Fire Co. #1
Photo by Courtesy of Flagtown Fire/Rescue - Hillsborough Volunteer Fire Co. #1
Photo by Courtesy of Flagtown Fire/Rescue - Hillsborough Volunteer Fire Co. #1
Photo by Courtesy of Flagtown Fire/Rescue - Hillsborough Volunteer Fire Co. #1
Franklin Township, N.J. — November 6 — On the early hours of Friday morning, the Flagtown Fire/Rescue unit, operating in concert with the Hillsborough Volunteer Fire Company No.1, deployed to a significant commercial warehouse blaze via mutual aid protocols; notably, Ladder 36 was designated as the Rapid Intervention Company (RIC) upon the activation of the second alarm.
At approximately 3:59 a.m., Ladder 36 was dispatched to the warehouse fire located on Belmont Drive in Franklin Township, a jurisdiction falling under Station 26's response zone. Deploying a full complement of eight personnel, the crew staged their apparatus on the A-side of the structure, closely monitoring environmental conditions while interior teams advanced to identify and suppress the blaze.
The conflagration, fueled by lithium-ion batteries and electronic apparatus, rendered both suppression and overhaul efforts particularly arduous. Subsequently, personnel from Ladder 36 were deployed to support interior overhaul operations before their release around 8 a.m.
The incident necessitated a comprehensive mobilization of mutual aid resources, encompassing supplementary fire companies, specialized operational units, and high-volume ventilation equipment. Notably, the Hillsborough Volunteer Fire Company No.3 deployed as an engine company during the third alarm activation. Ultimately, the scale of the emergency escalated to a full five-alarm response.
Published accounts indicate that two firefighters incurred minor injuries, while no individuals were discovered within the warehouse. The presence of lithium-ion batteries necessitated the deployment of the Somerset County Hazardous Materials Team to assist in the operation.
The response underscored the critical significance of RIC assignments, emphasizing the necessity of coordinating mutual aid and deploying specialized resources during commercial fire incidents involving battery storage facilities and recycling operations.
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