Cleanup begins after massive fire severely damages buildings in Bound Brook

The cleanup has begun in Bound Brook after a massive fire severely damaged at least five buildings on the town’s Main Street.

News 12 Staff

Jan 13, 2020, 4:49 PM

Updated 1,555 days ago

Share:

The cleanup has begun in Bound Brook after a massive fire severely damaged at least five buildings on the town’s Main Street.
The fire began around 8 p.m. Sunday at an apartment complex that was under construction. Windy conditions in the area caused the fire to spread to other buildings, displacing 24 people in 11 families.
The fire produced large bright flames and black smoke that could be seen for miles after the fire started.
“People described it as raining fire. You could seed the fire for many miles away,” says Bound Brook Borough Administrator Hector Herrera.
It's believed the fire started in a vacant apartment building called the Meridia, which was still under construction. Wind pushed the flames across the street to the Reynolds building which was also still under construction. It then spread to an electronics store, a rooming house that had 10 people living inside and an apartment building with six units
undefined
The American Red Cross is assisting those people displaced by the fire.
Fire officials were still on the scene of the blaze Monday night, occasionally spraying water on hotspots to prevent the fire from reigniting.
Town officials have also evacuated residents from 14 homes in close proximity toe the fire scene as a precaution as crews begin to demolish the buildings.
"Somerset County is being very cautious and worried about the safety of those residents near the apartment buildings. They evacuated those homes and they are providing temporary housing for those families for next few days or so, just until they can get the buildings down safely,” says Diane Concannon with the American Red Cross.
No one was injured in the fire.
The cause of the fire was not immediately clear. The Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives are investigating.
undefined


More from News 12
Dozens of residents escape 4-alarm fire in Paterson that damaged 3 homes

Dozens of residents escape 4-alarm fire in Paterson that damaged 3 homes

2:24
Clear and sunny today in New Jersey with highs in the 70s; rain returns Wednesday

Clear and sunny today in New Jersey with highs in the 70s; rain returns Wednesday

FAA: Small plane crashes at Sussex Airport

FAA: Small plane crashes at Sussex Airport

0:30
4 men accused in shooting near Rutgers face judge; 2 ordered to remain jailed

4 men accused in shooting near Rutgers face judge; 2 ordered to remain jailed

2:01
Sea Girt officials expect beach entrance where toddler got trapped in sand to reopen in May

Sea Girt officials expect beach entrance where toddler got trapped in sand to reopen in May

0:32
Investigation finds deficiencies in Essex County’s $40 million COVID-19 vaccination program

Investigation finds deficiencies in Essex County’s $40 million COVID-19 vaccination program

0:57
Wawa celebrates 60th anniversary with free coffee

Wawa celebrates 60th anniversary with free coffee

0:17
AMC Theatres at Menlo Park Mall in Edison completes multimillion-dollar renovations

AMC Theatres at Menlo Park Mall in Edison completes multimillion-dollar renovations

0:08
CDC warns of counterfeit Botox in 9 states, including New Jersey and New York

CDC warns of counterfeit Botox in 9 states, including New Jersey and New York

0:22
Police: 3 drivers hospitalized with head injuries following Manchester crash

Police: 3 drivers hospitalized with head injuries following Manchester crash

1:37
Elizabeth roadway reopens following New Jersey Turnpike crash that sent debris falling onto ground

Elizabeth roadway reopens following New Jersey Turnpike crash that sent debris falling onto ground

0:18
Authorities: Crips gang member charged with racketeering, murder that left ‘trail of blood’

Authorities: Crips gang member charged with racketeering, murder that left ‘trail of blood’

1:39
Best of New Jersey visits popular seafood spot Angry Archies in Jersey City

Best of New Jersey visits popular seafood spot Angry Archies in Jersey City

0:16
NJ Transit rail service resumes on Northeast Corridor between Trenton and Rahway following overhead wire issues

NJ Transit rail service resumes on Northeast Corridor between Trenton and Rahway following overhead wire issues

0:27
Jets 'return to roots' with new uniforms that pay tribute to team's 'New York Sack Exchange' look

Jets 'return to roots' with new uniforms that pay tribute to team's 'New York Sack Exchange' look

Guide: Alcohol addiction recovery support and resources

Guide: Alcohol addiction recovery support and resources

Eagles lock in WR DeVonta Smith with 3-year contract extension

Eagles lock in WR DeVonta Smith with 3-year contract extension

0:18
2 best friends from New Jersey split $1 million Powerball prize

2 best friends from New Jersey split $1 million Powerball prize

2:08
Prosecutor: Montclair police officer injured in shootout; suspect also hospitalized

Prosecutor: Montclair police officer injured in shootout; suspect also hospitalized

1:47
Officials investigate 2 homes possibly damaged by 4.8 magnitude earthquake

Officials investigate 2 homes possibly damaged by 4.8 magnitude earthquake