Franklin Township Public Safety Director Quovella M. Spruill has announced that fifteen residents were displaced from a multi-family home because of an early morning fire.
According to Township officials, on February 10, at 3:33 a.m. the Franklin Township Police Department received a 9-1-1 call reporting a heavy smoke condition in a residence on Highland Avenue.
Police said that upon arrival officers observed heavy smoke and flames coming from the second-story window of the dwelling. It was quickly determined that all of the occupants were out of the home.
Firefighters from Community, East Franklin, Somerset Fire and Rescue and North Brunswick Fire Company 3, were on scene to battle the fire.
Fire officials said that one firefighter from North Brunswick slipped on the ice and suffered an ankle injury. He was transported to a local area hospital by EMS personnel for treatment.
The cause and origin of the fire are currently under investigation by the Franklin Township Office of Fire Prevention. The initial investigation revealed that the fire does not appear to be suspicious in nature.
The structure was deemed uninhabitable due to smoke, fire, and water damage. The American Red Cross was contacted to assist with sheltering the displaced residents.