JEFFERSON TOWNSHIP, N.J. (Morris County) — Firefighters battled a blaze late Sunday at a commercial tire shop along Route 15 southbound in Jefferson Township, encountering heavy smoke and fire conditions that led crews to shift to a defensive operation after a partial roof collapse, authorities said.
Members of Jefferson Township Fire Department Station 2, Station 1 and the Jefferson Township Rescue Squad were dispatched at 9:55 p.m. for reports of smoke coming from the business. The first-arriving ladder company reported heavy smoke showing from the structure, officials said.
Crews forced entry but found heavy fire throughout the building and a partial roof collapse, prompting commanders to transition to defensive firefighting operations, authorities said.
Fire officials said operations were complicated by recent heavy snow that covered fire hydrants, along with ongoing winter weather conditions. Units were cleared from the scene and returned to service shortly after 1 a.m. Monday.
The cause of the fire was not immediately released, and there was no immediate information available on injuries. Officials thanked mutual aid departments that assisted at the scene.
