SOUTH BRUNSWICK – A South Brunswick family escaped a two-alarm fire that destroyed their Fresh Ponds Road home on Jan. 23.
At 5:35 p.m., a 911 caller reported that a fire started after a cell phone was charging in a power strip in the basement of the single family home, according to information provided by the South Brunswick Police Department.
First arriving officers and firefighters found flames shooting out of the side and rear of the home, according to reports. Firefighters from all three township fire companies – Monmouth Junction, Kendall Park and Kingston – responded to the blaze.
“When we arrived we found the family was out of the home and fire was rapidly extending from the basement to the first floor and attic space of the single-family ranch-style home. Firefighters made an exterior attack and were able to knockdown all visible flames. They then made entry and completed extinguishment,” Monmouth Junction Fire Chief Scott Smith said in the statement.
In addition to the South Brunswick Fire Departments, the Brookview Fire Company, North Brunswick Volunteer Fire Co. No. 2, East Brunswick Fire District No. 1 and Monroe Township Fire District No. 3 responded. The Monmouth Junction, Kendall Park and North Brunswick First Aid Squads responded.
The house suffered heavy fire and smoke damage and was deemed uninhabitable. There were no injuries. The family with school-aged children is staying with relatives in the area, according to the statement.
The cause of the fire is under investigation by the South Brunswick Township Fire Safety Bureau.