Cause of fire on Main Street in Somerville, NJ under investigation

SOMERVILLE – The Main Street fire that raged for nearly 12 hours on June 4 is still under investigation, according to Fire Chief Joseph Stitley.

Due to the “nature of the damage to the structures,” the fire is currently under investigation. The investigation is being conducted in a coordinated effort by the Somerville Fire Department, Somerville Police Department and the Somerset County District Attorney’s Office.

At the June 17 council meeting, Stitley gave an update on the fire situation and Mayor Brian Gallagher thanked those responsible for extinguishing the fire and helping the homeless residents.

The fire, which broke out in the basement of the Mediterranean restaurant King Tut, affected five shops and 18 apartments, the fire chief said.

Somerville Police officers were the first to arrive on the scene and evacuated the residents of the apartments on the upper floors without causing any injuries.

When the fire department arrived at around 2:03 p.m., there was smoke in both the basement and the ground floor.

Volunteer firefighters launched an “aggressive interior attack” on the basement but eventually withdrew as conditions in the building deteriorated, the chief said.

Subsequently, first the ground floor and then the second and third floors partially collapsed, causing a major fire.

The subsequent response would require the deployment of 17 different fire departments and take nearly half a day to extinguish the fire, the chief said.

A total of 17 fire engines were on site, accompanied by five turntable ladder vehicles, three rescue companies, 125 personnel, five emergency services and several police stations.

Governor Phil Murphy also contributed to the effort by calling Gallagher several times after the fire, the mayor said.

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After learning of Somerville’s problem with blocking off roads surrounding the fire area, Murphy and State Police provided vehicles and officers to block off the road and allow Somerville emergency responders to secure the fire scene and ensure no other buildings were at risk of collapse.

Gallagher also said that Rep. Tom Kean, RN.J., Somerset County Commissioner Shanel Robinson and Raritan Mayor Nicolas Carra have also offered their help.

Gallagher said he focused on those in the Somerville community who needed support.

“When people are in need, this city is at its best,” Gallagher said. “What could have been a terrible tragedy was resolved through the efforts of our professionals, whether they were paid professionals or volunteers.”

According to Gallagher, more than 150 people were involved in the effort.

“The most important thing was that all residents got out safely and all first responders went home that same evening or during the next day,” he said.

He thanked all first responders for “turning what could have been a tragedy into a terrible one,” but particularly highlighted the efforts of the Somerville Civic League, which came to the aid of those left homeless by the fire.

Civic League members reached out to homeless residents in the days following the fire, ensuring they were cared for, fed and comforted until they found alternative accommodation, the mayor said.

“They did this for about five or six days, and they did it because they wanted to, not because they had to,” Gallagher said. “It was because it was important to them, and that’s the value of living in this community.”

The Civic League also provided food, water and coffee to first responders.

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