'To lose this facility, it’s going to hurt.' Fire erupts at Piscataway building that serves community
Mayor Brian Wahler says one volunteer firefighter was taken to a hospital out of an abundance of caution due to an elevated heart rate.
A fire erupted at a food pantry in Piscataway Wednesday morning on New Market Road.
Mayor Brian Wahler says the building is over 100 years old and serves the community with donated food and clothes. He says it's where the Fish Organization is located, a regional food bank that handles clients from Piscataway, Plainfield, Dunnellon and the surrounding communities.
“To lose this facility, it’s going to hurt,” he said.
Wahler says there was no one in the building during the time of the fire. He says one volunteer firefighter was taken to a hospital out of an abundance of caution due to an elevated heart rate. No other injuries were reported.
Wahler said the call about the fire came in around 7:15 a.m. and several fire companies responded to the scene. New Market Road was closed between McKinnon and Union streets due to fire department activity.
Lisa Couch, president of the Fish Organization, says the organization has been in operation since 1970. She says they were preparing for the Easter food distribution.
"It’s going to be a big loss," Couch said.
There is no word yet on the cause of the fire.
