Shortly before 8:30 p.m. on October 17, the Avenel Fire Department was dispatched to a possible structure fire located at 230 McFarlane Road. While enroute, dispatch updated all responding units that the house was reported to be fully involved. A column of black smoke could be seen in the night sky several blocks away.
Chief Keith Addie was the first to arrive on scene and reported a fully involved house. The first due engine responding was instructed to stretch a 2 1/2" blitz line to the front of the house upon their arrival.
Engine 5-4 arrived; the initial suppression team stretched a 2 1/2" blitz line to the front lawn of the house and started to quickly knock down the heavy fire blowing out the front door and windows. An 1 3/4" hand line was stretched by a second suppression team and advanced through the front door after the bulk of fire was knocked down.
The second suppression team continued to advance through the house to hit the remainder of the fire and conduct a primary search. All searches were negative and no one was injured.
The house sustained heavy fire and heat damage throughout the first floor, the second floor sustained heavy heat and smoke damage. The structure was posted uninhabitable by the Woodbridge Township Building Department.
Mutual Aid Fire Departments were notified to assist the Avenel Fire Department. Colonia & Iselin #9 Fire Department assisted at the scene while Fords & Woodbridge Fire Department stood by in fire headquarters for coverage.
The cause of the fire is under investigation by the Avenel Fire Prevention Bureau.
