PHILLIPSBURG, N.J. (Warren County) — A structure fire at a three-story apartment building in Phillipsburg displaced 13 residents Friday afternoon and sent three people to the hospital, officials said.
Phillipsburg police, fire, and EMS units responded around 4:45 p.m. to 266 Heckman St. for reports of a fire with flames and heavy smoke. Upon arrival, responders found fire had extended to the top two floors and the attic. Fire crews launched an aggressive interior attack and brought the fire under control within about 90 minutes.
All residents were safely evacuated by Phillipsburg police before fire crews arrived, according to the fire department.
Three individuals were transported to St. Luke’s–Warren Hospital. Two suffered smoke inhalation, and a third sustained minor burns to the face and hands along with smoke inhalation. All were treated and released.
The fire damaged all three floors of the building, as well as the attic, and caused smoke, heat and water damage. An adjacent single-family home at 268 Heckman St. suffered exterior heat damage to vinyl siding.
The cause of the fire is under investigation by the Phillipsburg Police Department, Warren County Fire Marshal Joseph Lake, the Warren County Prosecutor’s Office, and the New Jersey Division of Fire Safety. No cause has been determined, and no damage estimate was immediately available.
All six Phillipsburg fire companies responded, along with an aerial ladder truck from Alpha Fire Department. Crews from Greenwich and Harmony townships responded and stood by in case of further incidents. Easton Fire Department was also on standby.
Firefighters were on scene for about four hours and six minutes. The American Red Cross is assisting displaced residents.
