By: Najla Alexander
Authorities in Somerset County announced an ongoing investigation into a commercial/residential fire on West Main Street in Somerville that occurred on the afternoon of Tuesday, June 4, 2024.
Somerset County Prosecutor John P. McDonald said on Tuesday, June 4, at approximately 2:03 p.m., Somerville Fire Department and Somerville Police responded to a 9-1-1 call reporting a fire on West Main Street in Somerville.
The fire was a four-alarm fire, officials said.
According to officials, fire companies from Finderne, Bound Brook, Hillsborough Station 37, Hillsborough Station 36, Martinsville, Franklin Fire District 27, Franklin Fire District 56, Country Hills Fire Department, Green Knoll, Manville, Warren Township, Raritan Borough, Lyons VA, North Branch, and Liberty Corner responded to assist Somerville Fire Department in extinguishing the fire.
Emergency medical personnel from Somerville, Martinsville, and Green Knoll also responded to the scene to render aid, along with officers from the Somerset County Sheriff’s Office who assisted Somerville Police with traffic control of the affected area, officials stated.
Officials said personnel from the Somerset County Office of Emergency Management, including the Somerset County Fire Coordinator, responded to assist with a unified command consisting of fire and police personnel.
Prosecutor McDonald stated that detectives from the Somerville Police Department, along with detectives from the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit and the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Fire Investigation Unit, responded to assist Somerville Fire Officials in conducting the investigation, officials say.
Authorities say the fire investigation remains ongoing, and the origin and cause of the fire are still being investigated.
Two residential/commercial structures were heavily damaged with residents being displaced, officials said.
Thanks to the quick response from first responders, all the building occupants were safely evacuated and uninjured, officials say.
According to officials, one Somerville Police officer sustained minor injuries during the event, was transported to an area hospital, and has since been released, and four firefighters also sustained minor injuries.
Officials stated two were treated at the scene and cleared, while the other two were treated at the hospital and later released.