Independence Structure Fire

On Sunday, 4/9/23, at 1341, the Independence Township Volunteer Fire Department, Hackettstown Fire Department, and the Independence First Aid squad were dispatched to 2 Main Street in Independence Township for the reported structure fire.

BLS 73-52 (Main Station) and BLS 73-51 (Station 2- Tri-County Fire) responded within minutes of the initial dispatch.

The incident was quickly upgraded to a 1st alarm assignment after the Warren County Department of Public Safety Communication Center received multiple calls reporting flames coming from a residence.
Special Services 735 and BLS 73-53 also responded to the incident.

Two dogs and one cat were pulled from the fire by Hackettstown Fire Department Firefighters. Independence First Aid Squad crews provided first aid to the dogs by utilizing our pet oxygen masks. Crews performed CPR on the cat, which sadly succumbed to its injuries.

Due to the condition of both dogs and a large amount of EMS resources on location, Chief 735 approved BLS 73-53 to transport both dogs to the Harmony Animal Hospital. Both dogs are expected to make a full recovery.

While returning from the animal hospital, BLS 73-53 handled a medical call in our primary area.
EMS units provided rehab services during the incident. One civilian and firefighter were transported to Hackettstown Medical Center for minor injuries.

All EMS units cleared the scene at 1803 hours after being cleared by Incident Command.

During the incident, the Lebanon Township Fire Department BLS Unit was moved to Station 2 (Tri-County Fire Company) as a standby unit.

EMS Units on Scene:
BLS 73-51
BLS 73-52
BLS 73-53
Special Services 735
Deputy Chief 735
Lieutenant 735-1
Lieutenant 735-2
Hackettstown First Aid and Rescue Squad BLS 78-51, BLS 73-53, Special Services 785 (Cascade Unit)
Saint Clare's Health MIC 57
Fire Agencies on Scene:
Hackettstown Fire Department
Independence Township Volunteer Fire Department
Mountain Lake Fire Company- 72 Fire
Good Will Fire Company #1
Hope Volunteer Fire Department - Station 38 Fire
Allamuchy Fire Dept.
Washington Fire Department Station 83
New Jersey Forest Service
Other Agencies Involved on Scene:
Independence Police Department
Hackettstown Police Department
Warren County Department of Public Safety FMAC 1, FMAC 6
Warren County HAZ MAT Response Team - Station 22
American Red Cross New Jersey Region
Washington Township (Morris County) Bureau of Fire Prevention
New Jersey State Division of Fire Safety
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We are collecting gift cards for the family involved in this devastating fire. Gift cards can be dropped off at our building at 3 Regina Lane, Great Meadows, NJ 07838, any time, or you can call (908)-736-6109, and we can arrange a time to pick up the gift cards from you.