Smoke investigation at Hunterdon County assisted living facility traced to smoldering rags

RARITAN TOWNSHIP, N.J. (Hunterdon County) — Fire crews responded Friday evening to a reported smell of smoke at an assisted living facility in Raritan Township, where smoldering rags were later found in a pantry area, officials said.

The Raritan Township Fire Company said crews were dispatched to Independence Manor along with mutual aid departments.

Firefighters traced the odor to a pantry near the kitchen, where they located a bin of smoldering rags on a shelf. Officials said the rags had been used earlier to clean stove tops.

Crews removed the rags, extinguished them with water and ventilated the structure. The incident was cleared within an hour, and no injuries were reported.

Fire officials reminded residents and businesses that certain chemicals and products can spontaneously combust if not handled or disposed of properly.

“We urge all residents and businesses to carefully read the warnings and instructions on any chemical products before use and during disposal,” the fire company said.