Crime & Safety

Fire at Verizon Still Under Investigation

Basking Ridge Fire Company responds, with backup from Bernardsville, Liberty Corner and the Lyons Veterans Administration.

The origin of a fire reported in a bathroom Monday afternoon at the Verizon Center in Basking Ridge remains under investigation, Bernards Township Fire Marshall Janet Lake said on Thursday.

She said the fire generated much smoke, enough to have left the bathroom covered in soot.

There were no injuries, and minimal damage to the building, said Basking Ridge Fire Co. spokesman Jack McGrath. He said the fire was not considered to be of suspicious origin.

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The Basking Ridge Fire and Emergency Medical Service units answered an alarm at 2:45 p.m. on Monday at Verizon Headquarters at 295 N. Maple Ave., he said.

Two fire engines and three rescue or EMS vehicles reportedly answered the call. The Lyons Veterans Administration unit, and back-up from Bernardsville and Liberty Corner also responded to a second alarm, McGrath said.

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While en route, a report was received of heavy black smoke conditions in the office.  Fire Co. Capt. Brian Grace ordered a second alarm transmitted because to the size of the 1.5 million=square-foot Verizon complex and underground parking facility.

Grace established command at the fire location, with Capt. Ted Renz directing inside operations, and Capt. Peter von der Linde exterior operations. EMS units stood by and set up a rehab area, McGrath said.

Basking Ridge units located the fire inside the walls of a bathroom on the first floor, McGrath said.

Mutual Aid units were put to work immediately upon arrival. Station 59 Lyons VA Fire responded with an engine and a ladder to conduct primary and secondary searches. 

Liberty Corner and Bernardsville also responded with engines, with Liberty Corner assisting EMS units at Verizon, and Bernardsville reportedly helping to remove a ceiling and wall.

Basking Ridge Fire Chief Duncan Watt arrived to take command before the fire was extinguished. All units were back in service by 4 p.m., McGrath said.

Watt then turned the case over to the Bernards Township Fire Prevention bureau for follow-up on origin and cause.


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