May 21, 2021
By: Tyler Eckel – Updated with information from the City of Trenton
TRENTON (MERCER)– Two houses along with two garages were damaged this afternoon after a fire broke out in Trenton.
Firefighters responded out to 42 Atterbury Avenue around 1:50 pm on a reported house fire. A Trenton Fire Chief arrived on the scene and observed a structure well involved in fire, extending to other structures. The first alarm was immediately struck, sending additional resources to the scene in an attempt to gain control of the blaze.
Firefighters were then alerted of possible victims trapped inside the structure as fire continued to rapidly spread. Trenton firefighters entered the burning structure and heard a call from a person trapped. Firefighters quickly removed the trapped person from the second floor and also saved a cat.
The fire quickly jumped to the second alarm, continuing to climb through the third alarm, and finally being brought under control at 4:18 pm, while operations were equivalent to the fourth alarm.
According to William Skaggs, a City of Trenton spokesperson, the fire was a “General Alarm” with around 10 companies from outside the City responding.
With current staffing levels of the entire TFD on scene, plus the addition of 10 additional companies would equal what is known as a 4-alarm fire with the amount of apparatus and manpower on scene.
Skaggs also stated that six people are displaced from their homes. The initial investigation suggests the fire started in an outside garage and spread to the home of 42 Atterbury Avenue. The fire spread to another home at 40 Atterbury and another garage.
Electric wires were live and impeding the fire attack in the rear. PSE&G was called to the scene to temporarily shut down power on the block from West State to Riverside Avenue.
Multiple ambulances responded to the scene for firefighters suffering from heat exhaustion while battling the scorching flames on top of nearly 90 degree weather, all while wearing their protective turnout gear.
Fire companies from around Mercer County, and then some responded to the scene, including but not limited to: Trenton Fire Department, Hamilton Fire Department, Plainsboro Fire Company, West Windsor Fire Company, Companies from Lawrence, Companies from Ewing, Companies from Bordentown, Princeton First Aid and Rescue Squad, Signal 22 Canteen Unit, and others.
Photos by Tyler Eckel
Photos by Brian McCarthy, OnScene News