Heavy flames tear through numerous apartments and townhomes in Branchburg
Firefighters arrived shortly after 5:30 a.m. to find flames shooting from the roof and heavy fire pushing into the attic.
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Fire burned through numerous homes Wednesday morning on Old York Road in Branchburg.
Flames broke out at the Red Rock Preserve complex—a new four-building multifamily community of one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments and townhomes—shortly after 5:30 a.m.
Firefighters arrived to find flames shooting from roofs from multiple units. Several fire crews responded from neighboring communities to assist and were able to put the flames out.
Chopper footage courtesy WABC
Drone footage courtesy North Jersey Drone Shots
Branchburg Mayor James Schworn says there are no known fatalities or serious injuries.
Branchburg officials are actively working with county partners to assist an estimated 65 residents who have been displaced, including efforts to secure temporary housing and provide necessary support services.
Resident Gwen McCord said the fire was "very scary" and unlike anything she'd experienced. "It was very traumatizing," she said. "When I went in, it was very smoky. I couldn't breathe, just trying to get my kids out of the house."
Shauniese Sutton said she ran to grab her kids, then started banging on neighbors' doors. "I called the police and eventually everybody got out," she said.
Javohn Byrd called it overwhelming since they had just moved into the new apartment complex. "I got my family out, that's really all I care about," he said. "The material things I don't really care about too much."
McCord, who has six kids, acknowledged the challenge ahead. "It's kinda hard to rebuild everything," she said. "You know, that's what we have to do. We got our lives, so that's all that matters."
The cause of the fire is still being investigated.
Photos courtesy the Somerfield Fire Department
