Tuesday evening blaze contained

Second fire on Friendship Road in two weeks is putting a strain on Division of Social Services.

By: Emily Holody
   A Friendship Road resident was forced to leave her home following a fire Tuesday evening.
   "It was a one-bedroom fire," said township Fire Marshal Alan Laird. "We’re still investigating the cause, but it’s definitely an accidental fire."
   The Monmouth Junction Fire Department responded to the fire at 7:50 p.m.
   "It was all contained in one room to a mattress and one wall," said Mr. Laird.
   He said the power will be turned back on in the home today, but smoke damage will need to be repaired.
   The victim had been renting the home. She was put up in a hotel Tuesday night by the township Social Services Department. She was expected to contact the Red Cross on Wednesday for additional help, said Social Services Director LouAnne Wolf.
   The fire is the second in the last week that the Social Services Department has had to help deal with.
   "We’ve had some fire victims lately," said Ms. Wolf. "The Middlesex County Board of Social Services places their homeless clients in three of our motels in town: the Red Roof Inn, Lakewood Court Motel and the Econo Lodge."
   The recent fires also have put a strain on the South Brunswick Food Pantry, which is in need of plastic utensils, paper cups, paper plates and manual can openers. The pantry also needs Parmalat milk, canned tuna, canned chicken salad and crackers.
   To donate items to the pantry, bring them to the Social Services Department at the Municipal Center on Route 522 in Monmouth Junction or contact Ms. Wolf at (732) 329-4000, ext. 7674.