Somerville Fire Still Under Investigation by Somerset County Prosecutor

Somerset County Prosecutor John P. McDonald, Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Chief of County Detectives Francisco Roman Jr., and Somerville Chief of Police Dennis Manning announced an on-going investigation into a commercial/residential fire on West Main Street in Somerville, New Jersey that occurred on the afternoon of Tuesday, June 4, 2024.

Prosecutor McDonald stated that on Tuesday, June 4, 2024, at approximately 2:03 p.m. Somerville Fire Department and Somerville Police responded to a 9-1-1 call reporting a fire on West Main Street in Somerville, New Jersey. 

The fire was a four-alarm fire. Fire companies from Finderne, Bound Brook, Hillsborough Station 37, Hillsborough Station 36, Martinsville, Franklin Fire District 27, Franklin Fire District 56, Country Hills Fire Department, Green Knoll, Manville, Warren Township, Raritan Borough, Lyons VA, North Branch, and Liberty Corner responded to assist Somerville Fire Department in extinguishing the fire. 

Emergency medical personnel from Somerville, Martinsville, and Green Knoll also responded to the scene to render aid, along with officers from the Somerset County Sheriff’s Office who assisted Somerville Police with traffic control of the affected area. Personnel from the Somerset County Office of Emergency Management, including the Somerset County Fire Coordinator, responded to assist with unified command consisting of fire and police personnel.

Prosecutor McDonald stated that detectives from the Somerville Police Department along with detectives from the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit and the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Fire Investigation Unit responded to assist Somerville Fire Officials in conducting the investigation. The fire investigation remains on-going, and the origin and cause of the fire is still under investigation. Two residential/commercial structures were heavily damaged with residents being displaced. Thanks to the quick response from first responders, all the occupants of the buildings were safely evacuated and uninjured. One Somerville Police officer sustained minor injuries during the event, was transported to an area hospital, and has since been released. 

Four firefighters also sustained minor injuries. Two were treated at the scene and cleared while the other two were treated at the hospital and later released.

Prosecutor McDonald, Chief Roman, and Chief Manning request anyone with information regarding this incident to contact the Somerset County Prosecutors Office Major Crimes Unit at (908) 231-7100 or the Somerville Police Department at (908) 725-0331 or via the STOPit app. The STOPit app allows citizens to provide anonymous reports including videos and photos. STOPit can be downloaded to your smart phone for free at the Google Play Store or Apple App Store, access code: SOMERSETNJ. Information can also be provided through the Somerset County Crime Stoppers’ Tip Line at 1-888-577-TIPS (8477). All anonymous STOPit reports, and Crime Stopper tips will be kept confidential.

NOTE: The following information is based on a preliminary and ongoing investigation, which continues to evolve as investigators interview witnesses, review physical and electronic records, and analyze forensic evidence. The Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office’s understanding of the facts and circumstances may change as additional evidence is collected and analyzed

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