HACKETTSTOWN, N.J. – A Friday evening kitchen fire forced the evacuation of an apartment building on Center Street in Hackettstown, temporarily displacing one resident while firefighters brought the blaze under control.
According to the Hackettstown Police Department, officers responded at approximately 5:46 p.m. Friday to the 100 block of Center Street for a reported structure fire. When officers arrived, they found heavy black smoke pouring from one of the apartments and immediately began evacuating residents from the building.
Homeowner unable to extinguish kitchen fire
Police said the homeowner was visiting a neighbor when fire alarms sounded inside the building. After returning to the apartment, the resident discovered an active kitchen fire and attempted to extinguish it with a fire extinguisher.
Authorities said the flames had already grown too large to safely contain before firefighters arrived.
Residents evacuated safely
The Hackettstown Fire Department was assisted by several neighboring fire departments in extinguishing the blaze.
No injuries were reported, and all residents were able to return to their apartments except the occupant of the fire-damaged unit. The displaced resident is receiving assistance from the American Red Cross of New Jersey.
Cause remains under investigation
The cause of the fire has not yet been determined.
The Hackettstown Police Detective Bureau and the Mount Olive Township Fire Marshal’s Office are investigating the incident.
Quick action by responding officers to evacuate the building helped ensure all residents escaped safely despite the heavy smoke conditions.
About this investigation
This article is based on information released by the Hackettstown Police Department. The fire remains under investigation, and authorities have not announced a cause.
