Apartment Fire in Twin Rivers Displaces Four Families

A Thursday night fire displaced four families from a Dennison Drive apartment in Twin Rivers, according to fire officials.

Firefighters were called to the scene around 8 p.m. for an electrical fire that started in an electrical outlet in one apartment, said East Windsor Fire Company #2 Chief Barry Rashkin.

The homeowner had started to open the wall where the fire was, and when firefighters arrived they found the fire extended up into another unit, Rashkin said. Firefighters continued to open the wall and removed cabinetry to extinguish the fire.

“It went up pretty high,” Rashkin said.

During the incident, a water pipe also broke, Rashkin said.

Since walls had to be opened, four apartments were affected, according to Rashkin. Red Cross was called, but later canceled since all families had a place to stay.

It is unknown how long the families will be out of their apartment, and the cause of the fire is under investigation.

Everyone made it out safely and firefighters rescued a chinchilla from the house after a young girl was concerned about it, Rashkin said. Homeowners also took two dogs that lived there out with them.

East Windsor Fire Company #2 received mutual aid from East Windsor Fire Company #1 and Hightstown Engine Company #1.

East Windsor Rescue Squads, Districts 1 and 2 also responded and provided firefighters with a place to rest and with water.

“[The rescue squads] were a tremendous asset as well,” Rashkin said.