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SOUTH BRUNSWICK: Townhouse fire displaces 12

By Charles W. Kim, Managing Editor
   Twelve people were displaced and eight out of 21 units were destroyed following a fire in the Whispering Woods condominium development May 20.
   According to police, the 5 a.m. fire started in the second floor of the 7100 building on Elm Court of the development Sunday morning.
   A resident of the complex called in to 911 at 5 a.m. to report the fire that started in a second floor residence, according to police.
   Police responding to the scene rushed into the building to evacuate 21 sleeping residents from the townhomes.
   Firefighters arriving on the scene had to confront heavy fire conditions on the third floor with flames shooting through the roof of the building, according to police.
   More than 60 firefighters from all three township departments —Monmouth Junction, Kendall Park, and Kingston fire companies — and units from Jamesburg, Brookview, Plainsboro, North Brunswick and Little Rocky Hill fought the fire for an hour before bringing it under control, according to police.
   Fire crews remained on the scene with the South Brunswick Office of Emergency Management until 10:30 a.m., police said.
   In addition, the Monmouth Junction and Kendall Park First Aid squads also responded to the scene.
   One firefighter twisted his ankle while fighting the fire, police said.
   The 12 residents displaced by the fire were relocated with family and friends, according to police.
   The South Brunswick Fire Safety Bureau determined that the cause of the fire was accidental.
   The damage to the building was contained to just one section and no other injuries were reported, according to police.