SOMERVILLE, N.J. (Somerset County) — Firefighters from several Somerset County departments battled a house fire Saturday morning that sent heavy flames through the front of a home in Somerville, according to the Somerville Fire Department.
The Somerville and Raritan fire departments were dispatched at approximately 6:30 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 24, to a reported structure fire near the intersection of Catherine Street and North Gaston Avenue.
According to the Somerville Fire Department, the first arriving fire officials encountered heavy fire coming from the front of the home, prompting a request for additional assistance from neighboring departments.
Firefighters established a water supply and deployed three hose lines to attack the flames. The department said unfavorable conditions inside the home made initial firefighting operations difficult.
Crews also cut an opening in the roof to ventilate the structure and assist with fire suppression efforts.
The fire was brought under control at approximately 7:55 a.m., about an hour and 25 minutes after firefighters were initially dispatched.
According to the department, extensive overhaul operations were required to locate and extinguish remaining hot spots and ensure the fire was fully extinguished.
Firefighters completed operations at approximately 9:15 a.m., and the scene was turned over to the Somerville fire marshal.
Mutual aid assistance was provided by fire departments from Raritan, Bradley Gardens, Bound Brook, Finderne, Manville, Somerset and Green Knoll.
The Somerville Fire Department did not provide information about injuries or the cause of the fire.
