Firefighters Battle Highland Park Fire Tuesday Afternoon

HIGHLAND PARK, NJ — As of 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, a residential building on the 200 block of Raritan Avenue in Highland Park is on fire, Highland Park Police confirmed to Patch.

The fire broke out at 3 p.m. Tuesday on the 300 block of Benner Street in Highland Park. Highland Park Police received multiple calls from residents reporting they smelled smoke.

There were reports on Twitter someone was possibly trapped inside, but Capt. Jose Curbelo of Highland Park Police said that is incorrect.

"Everyone was safely evacuated. No injuries to responding officers or firefighters at this time," said Capt. Curbelo.

Highland Park patrolmen DeCosta and patrolmen Middleton were the first responders to arrive at the scene and found heavy smoke and fire coming from the roof and windows of a three-story house on Raritan Ave.

DeCosta and Middleton ran into the first floor of the home to search for any occupants that may have been inside as the Highland Park Fire Department arrived and began fighting the fire.

All occupants were safely evacuated from the buildings and there were no reported injuries to residents, fire fighters or police officers.

The fire does not appear to be suspicious; however, the cause of the fire is still under investigation by the County Fire Marshal's Office and Highland Park Police Detective S. McGraw.

“All of the responding officers and firefighters did a tremendous job working in some of the most demanding conditions we have seen this year. Through their quick actions, responding HP police officers and firefighters were able to evacuate the affected buildings quickly ensuring no residents were injured and were able to save the two structures on either side of the burning building," said Highland Park Police Chief Abrams. "This was truly a team effort, and we are especially grateful for all of the assistance we received from the surrounding agencies who showed up to help."

Among those called to the scene were the Middlesex County Office of the Fire Marshal, East Franklin Fire Department, New Brunswick Fire Department, Edison Fire Department, North Stelton Piscataway Fire Department, South Plainfield Fire Department, East Brunswick Fire Department, North Brunswick Fire Department, Office of Emergency Management(OEM), and the Highland Park first aid squad.

Do you have photos of the fire you want to share? Carly.baldwin@patch.com

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