FRANKFORD TOWNSHIP, N.J. (Sussex County) — Firefighters from multiple Sussex County departments responded Wednesday night to a fire that destroyed a detached garage, a truck and several debris piles behind a business along Route 206 in Frankford Township.
The fire was reported at approximately 9:31 p.m. at 401 Route 206, the site of The Liquidation Shop and the former Frankford Township Fire Department Station 1.
Fire officers, who had just returned from a special detail, spotted the fire and requested a first-alarm structure fire response after finding heavy fire involving multiple debris piles, a truck and a detached garage.
The first arriving crews deployed multiple handlines to attack the fire, while additional firefighters worked to protect the nearby commercial building. Officials said the blaze was intensified by pallets and other materials stored in and around the garage, as well as gasoline from the burning vehicle.
During the initial firefighting operations, homeowners on Longbridge Road called 911 to report that the fire appeared to be spreading through nearby woods toward their properties. A responding engine was temporarily redirected for possible structure protection before being reassigned to the main fire scene.
Additional water tankers were requested from neighboring departments, and firefighters established a water supply operation at Offshore Marine to support suppression efforts.
Officials said the bulk of the fire was knocked down in less than 20 minutes. Firefighters from Frankford, Branchville, Sussex, Sandyston and Montague assisted with water supply operations, while crews from Frankford, Branchville and Sussex completed overhaul operations.
All units cleared the scene shortly before 2:30 a.m.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation by the Frankford Township Fire Official and the New Jersey State Police.
