By Jen Samuel, Managing Editor
EAST WINDSOR — Less than 24 hours after marching in the 93rd annual Memorial Day parade, firefighters arose from sleep to answer a 12:59 a.m. dispatch call for a raging two-alarm house fire on 11 Bristol Way.
The house was destroyed. However, no one was injured, and firefighters were able to contain the blaze before it could engulf nearby neighboring homes.
"These flames were 15 feet in the air,” said Fire Chief Kevin Brink of East Windsor Volunteer Fire Co. No. 1, also known as Station 42. “We were only minutes away from either or both of those houses catching on fire.”
He confirmed the fire company was dispatched to 11 Bristol Way at 12:59 a.m. and fire crews arrived within 10 minutes.
"I was on scene in less than six minutes,” Chief Brink told the Herald on Wednesday.
However, some people voiced concern this week online that it took too long for Station 42 to arrive.
"These are the things that are very disheartening to a volunteer agency such as ours, when people make these comments not knowing the facts,” Chief Brink said.
Chief Brink said, “Our first truck was on scene in 10 minutes (carrying six firefighters).” He added that in that same 10 minutes, Robbinsville and Hightstown fire companies arrived.
Twenty volunteer firefighters from Station 42 tackled the fire along with at least 30 firefighters from neighboring departments.
"The comments that were made by residents, homeowners and citizens bashing East Windsor Volunteer Fire Co. No. 1 . . .” Chief Brink trailed off.
He then defended his firefighters.
"They took their time — they put their lives in jeopardy,” he said in response to some of the public accusing Station 42 of not arriving first.
”That is uncalled for and (is) so disheartening,” Chief Brink said. “If these citizens have so much to say, then they should come down and join the fire company.”
He said one volunteer from East Windsor Volunteer Fire Co. No. 1 was a 70-year-old member who helped to direct traffic.
Firefighters fought the fire with two master streams as well as by other means and did not enter the residence on 11 Bristol Way.
"It was deemed that it was not safe,” Chief Brink said. “Everything changes if we know there is a potential life to be saved.”
As the three people at home when the fire broke out were no longer inside, Chief Brink made the decision to fight the fire from the outside.
Chief Brink said across the street from where firefighters were fighting the fire, there was a crowd of people acting “way out of line.”
Some people were shouting obscenities and questioning what fire companies arrived first, according to the chief.
"At one point, I did call over the police to have the police assist with dispersing the people that were hindering the fire from being put out,” Chief Brink said.
The East Windsor Police Department did not confirm that patrol officers were requested for crowd control. However, in a video posted on YouTube of the fire, the request is audible, and it also shows two patrolmen escorting one person from the crowd.
Chief Brink said that the heat from the house fire was so hot it melted the siding of the two neighboring houses.

