Home in Flanders Suffers Substantial Damage From Fire

FLANDERS, N.J. - March 18, 2015 - PRLog -- Flanders firefighters this afternoon battled a multiple-alarm blaze that did substantial damage to a single-family home in a subdivision off Route 206. There were no injuries.

Firefighters initially were called for a dumpster fire, but police officers arriving on scene reported the fire had spread to the front of the house.

“This fire started outside the home and worked its way up the front and into the attic of the home,” said Flanders Fire Chief Michael McDermott. “With the lightweight-truss construction, the fire moved quickly once it took hold.”

McDermott said the danger of collapse kept firefighters fighting the blaze from outside the home, using a tower truck and large water streams. Much of the roof and attic was destroyed and there was water and smoke damage throughout the home. No damage estimate was given.

Investigators from the Mount Olive Fire Marshal’s office and the Mount Olive Police Department are investigating the fire.

Flanders firefighters received assistance from the Budd Lake Fire Company, Budd Lake First Aid Squad and fire departments from Byram, Chester, Hackettstown, Netcong, Randolph, Roxbury and Schooley’s Mountain as well as from the County of Morris and Hackettstown Regional Medical Center. The Mount Olive Police Department also was on scene.

The Flanders Fire Company and Rescue Squad No. 1 provides fire protection and emergency medical services to residents and businesses in Flanders and, through mutual aid, surrounding towns. It is made up of about 45 members, all of whom receive training in fire suppression, rescue, hazardous materials response, homeland security issues and emergency medical services. The fire company operates two fire engines, one tower truck, one heavy rescue, a brush-and-foam truck, three ambulances, a multiple-casualty unit and a mass decontamination unit.

In addition, the fire company offers public education services including lectures, demonstrations, training and a trailer that safely simulates a smoke-filled home. For information about membership, donations or public education, call (973) 584-7805 or click on www.flandersfire.org.

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