By Lea Kahn, Staff Writer
PLAINSBORO — A fire earlier this summer that damaged eight apartments and that could have easily spread to more units at the Deer Creek rental apartment complex was quickly brought under control, under the direction of the Plainsboro Fire Co.
For those efforts, Mayor Peter Cantu and Township Committee honored the Plainsboro Fire Co. and its volunteer firefighters with a proclamation at the committee’s Wednesday night meeting. Fire Chief Brian Wagner accepted the proclamation.
The proclamation, which was handed to Chief Wagner by Deputy Mayor Neil Lewis, stated that the Plainsboro Fire Co., as part of a regional mutual aid fire-fighting unit, coordinated the assistance of multiple neighboring towns’ fire companies to stop the Deer Creek fire from spreading to more apartments.
There was fire damage to two apartments, and two units suffered water damage in the July 26 blaze. Across the breezeway, four more apartments suffered smoke damage. All were left uninhabitable.
“The members of the Township Committee of Plainsboro are grateful to the brave firefighters who risk their lives on a daily basis to protect and serve the citizens of central New Jersey and Plainsboro Township,” the resolution said.
The Township Committee “hereby expresses their sincere appreciation to the dedicated firefighters of Plainsboro Fire Co. on behalf of the people of Plainsboro,” the proclamation said.
Deputy Mayor Lewis said the proclamation was an opportunity to remind everyone of the “outstanding service” provided by the volunteers. The Plainsboro Fire Co., which is staffed daytime by paid firefighters and nights and weekends by volunteers, responds to about 500 to 600 calls per year, he said.
The deputy mayor said the Deer Creek fire “reminds us of how (an) effective and fast response is critical” in handling an emergency.
Mayor Cantu added that it is important to honor the individual members, too. They all work together, and without the volunteers, “we would have real difficulty in this town.”
