MANCHESTER — A morning fire at a commercial building on Route 539 was quickly brought under control after crews responded to reports of smoke and possible entrapment, officials said.
The incident was reported around 8:06 a.m. on November 29. Station 33 units were dispatched after callers reported a structure fire with two people possibly trapped. Chief 3300 arrived within seconds and found moderate smoke coming from a mixed-use commercial unit. After confirming that everyone was safely out, he requested a second alarm and directed the first-arriving crew to begin searching for the source of the fire.
Firefighters from Engine 3301 entered the smoke-filled unit but found no flames. They forced entry into the neighboring unit, where crews encountered heavier smoke and ultimately located the room where the fire had started. The fire was extinguished with a water can as a hose line was stretched in behind them, and crews contained the damage to the room of origin.
Additional Station 33 personnel, including Captain 3330 and crews from Utility 3337 and 3327, responded. Mutual aid was provided by JBMDL Fire Department, Millstone Township Fire Company Tower 32, Ridgeway Volunteer Fire Company Cascade 34 and Manchester EMS.
The scene was turned over to the Ocean County Fire Marshal’s Office and Manchester Police for investigation.
