Somerset County officials announced an on-going fire investigation into the
circumstances relating to the structural fire that occurred on Parcview Place in Somerville, on Friday, August 21.
Somerset County Prosecutor Michael H. Robertson stated that the fire was first reported to Somerset County Communications Center via 9-1-1 at approximately 9:34 a.m. on Friday.
The residential building located on Parcview Place was in the final phases of construction and was not occupied by any residents. Various workers and contractors were inside the structure at the time of the fire but were all safely evacuated by responding Somerville Police Officers.
The apartment complex was one of two buildings constructed at the site. The adjacent building is partially occupied and did not sustain any damage as a result of the fire.
The fire was a four-alarm fire with multiple fire departments responding from Bound Brook, Finderne, Green Knoll, Hillsborough, Liberty Corner, Raritan, Somerset, Warren, Flagtown, East Franklin, Lyons VA, Middlebush, and Peapack-Gladstone.
Multiple Emergency Medical Services also responded to the scene from Somerville, Martinsville, Green Knoll, Branchburg, Bradley Gardens and Robert Wood Johnson-Barnabas. No injuries were reported.
Prosecutor Robertson stated the Somerset County Fire Investigation Unit (FIU) along with the Somerville Department of Fire Safety is currently investigating the origin and cause of the fire and no determination has been made at this time.
A preliminary assessment from Investigators has stated that the damaged building contained eighty-eight units and the fire is estimated to have caused over $16 million dollars in damages.
Somerset County officials request anyone with information to contact the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office at (908) 231-7100 or the Somerville Police Department at (908) 725-0331.
Information can also be provided through the Somerset County Crime Stoppers’ Tip Line at 1-888-577-TIPS (8477). All anonymous Crime Stopper tips will be kept confidential.