NORTH BRUNSWICK -- A warehouse caught fire overnight in North Brunswick and continued burning for hours, prompting a region-wide response and casting a pall of smoke that could be seen for miles.
The warehouse on Livingston Avenue went up in flames around 2 a.m., police and fire personnel said. The warehouse includes space for the DCH Collision Center car repair shop, plus plastics and rug manufacturers.
Fire Chief Donald Salzmann said at a news conference that one firefighter suffered a minor hand injury, but nobody else was hurt.
As of about 9 a.m., the fire was under control, but still burning hot in the south end of the warehouse, where a plastics manufacturer operates. The fire started in the center of the building, and firefighters were unable to keep it from spreading, Salzmann said. About eight different companies operate in the building, Salzmann said.
One building at a nearby apartment complex caught fire due to ambient heat, Salzmann said at a news conference, but it was quickly extinguished.
It's not clear when residents will be able to go back home. County HazMat crews will have to make that assessment. Air quality checks will also be conducted.
Mayor Francis "Mac" Womack said residents of North Brunswick and South Brunswick might experience low water pressure.
"They should conserve water and be prepared for that," Womack said.
The town said in an emailed alert that residents should keep windows and doors shut and air conditioners off, when possible, due to the smoke. Water might be discolored due to pressure issues.
A staging area for evacuees has been set up at the Linwood Middle School. The Birchwood, Hearthwood and part of the Manor housing complexes were evacuated due to an enormous plume of smoke.
Police said the warehouse is fully involved, not the dealership.
The four-alarm fire has forced the ramp from Route 1 north to Livingston Avenue to be closed, according to 511nj.org, the Department of Transportation's traffic website. East Brunswick police said Hardenburg Lane into North Brunswick was closed due to the fire. North Brunswick police said that traffic has not been bad this morning.
No train delays were reported.
Although that area of North Brunswick is commercial, there are some neighborhoods because it is near Route 130. North Brunswick police are asking any displaced residents with no place to go to go Linwood Middle School.
Flames and smoke could be seen from as far south as Toms River and as far north as New York City New Jersey 101.5 and WABC-7 said.
Vehicles are repaired and stored in the warehouse, according to WABC-7.
The owner of the building, who also owns the Achim Imports home furnishings company, did not respond to requests for comment. Jordan Logistics Inc. and HJA Logistics also have space in the building, their websites say.
NJ Advance Media reporters Vernal Coleman, Tom Haydon and Jeff Goldman contributed to this report.
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