Four Area Fire Departments Respond to Raritan Place Fire

The assistance of four different Middletown Fire Departments was needed for a blaze that occurred in the East Keansburg section of town.

In a press release issued from Middletown Public Information Officer John Isaksen, a structure on the property of 214 Raritan Place caught fire Wednesday, May 16. The blaze, which broke out at approximately 5:04 p.m., required the assistance of 45 firefighters from the , and .  In addition to the fire companies, the MTFD Air Unit, and the Leonardo and Port Monmouth First Aid Squads were also on the scene. 

“The firefighters encountered heavy fire conditions in a large detached one-and-a-half story garage. The 20 by 30 foot structure contained an abundance of materials which fed the fire and hamper the firefighter’s attempts extinguish the fire from inside of the structure. Consequentially, for safety reasons, Deputy Chief John D’Altilio ordered a defensive attack from the exterior of the structure.”  

Orders were given by Chief Andrew Spears who declared the fire under control at 5:35 p.m.

According to the release, the structure sustained major damage and three area residents were treated by on-scene EMS due to smoke related issues.

The cause fire is being investigated by the Middletown Township Fire Prevention Bureau.