Multi-Alarm Fire East Windsor

Photos by: Steve Schnaudt, Dennis Symons and Mike Guzy

EAST WINDSOR TOWNSHIP (Mercer)--- A fire broke out around 10:12 a.m. at the Windmill Apartments on Wood Mill Drive, off of One Mile Road on Saturday May 15, 2004. The fire went to three alarms before being brought under control. Upon arrival four residents were rescued that were trapped on a second floor balcony. Since the fire started on the first floor occupants from the second and third floors could not escape the building due to heat and dense smoke.

It was reported that the fire was accidental resulting from a lit cigarette and started in apartment 713 which is on the first floor of the 700 building. Twenty four units of the 700 and 800 buildings were effected by the fire but most damaged were in the 700 part of the building.

Two firefighters were injured. Two residents of unit 713 had minor injuries including burns.

Thirty people were left homeless and the Central NJ and Princeton Chapter of the American Red Cross provide food and shelter for 30 people.

Fire departments on scene were: East Windsor Fire Company #1, East Windsor Fire Company #2, Hightstown Fire Company, Washington Township Fire Department, Plainsboro Fire Department, Applegarth Fire Company, Groveville Fire Department, West Windsor Fire Company, Cranbury Fire Company and several others. EMS was called from East Windsor, Hightstown, and West Windor.

 

Windsor Mill units burn

 

Sunday, May 16, 2004, Trenton Times, http://www.nj.com

 

EAST WINDSOR - An unextinguished cigarette sparked a three-alarm fire yesterday, injuring two Windsor Mill residents and two volunteer firefighters, officials said.

The 10:12 a.m. fire ravaged 24 units in building 700 and parts of the attached building 800 for about an hour at the One Mile Road location. About 25 three-story apartment buildings make up the complex which straddles both sides of One Mile Road.

Tony Katawick, chief of the East Windsor Volunteer Fire Co. No. 1, said the accidental fire began at unit 713 - a first floor apartment on Wood Mill Drive.

While containing the fire, a four residents had to be rescued after the blaze and heavy smoke trapped them on the second and third floors, Katawick said.

Minor burns and injuries were sustained by two residents in unit 713, Katawick said.

The Central New Jersey and Princeton Chapter of the American Red Cross provided food and clothing for 30 people and shelter for two, said spokeswoman.

 

Fire forces evacuations

By: David Pescatore , Staff Writer http://www.zwire.com/site/news.asp?brd=1091&nav_sec=51405 05/21/2004

East Windsor Township condominium blaze traps residents of Windsor Mills on Saturday, May 15.    EAST WINDSOR — A three-alarm fire injured four people and forced the evacuation of 24 Windsor Mills condominiums Saturday morning.    According to reports, the fire was caused by careless smoking and began at approximately 10:15 a.m. in condo unit 713.    Police said that officers arrived to find the condo filled with smoke and fire burning both inside and outside the unit.    All residents were evacuated from the 700 and 800 buildings in the One Mile Road complex.    Four residents were reportedly trapped on a second floor balcony and rescued by firefighters.    Because the fire began on the first floor of the three-story building, heat and dense smoke prevented the people from escaping, fire officials said.    Two residents from the 700 building were treated for smoke inhalation and minor burns and transported to local hospitals.    Two firefighters also were injured.    Both East Windsor volunteer fire companies were assisted by firefighters from Hightstown, Cranbury, Washington Township, Plainsboro, Applegarth, Princeton Junction, and Groveville.    East Windsor Rescue Squad districts one and two were assisted by rescue squads from Hightstown, Cranbury, West Windsor, Plainsboro, Princeton and Mercer County.    The fire is believed to be accidental, police said.    In all, 25 people comprising 13 families were forced from their homes, according to Erik Ahlgren, communications associate for the American Red Cross of Central Jersey.    Mr. Ahlgren said that the Red Cross sheltered four families in a local hotel for three days following the blaze.    Vouchers for food, clothing, and linens were available for all of the displaced residents, he said.

 

 

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