ROBERT GAROFALO PhD(c), Chief of Police

 
INCIDENT:  2021-9316 Special Investigation Structure Fire
 
DATE & TIME OCCURRED:  4/7/2021 at 3:17 pm
 
LOCATION OCCURRED:  Avalon Watch Apartment Complex 8000 Block (Building #8)
 
OTHERS INVOLVED:
1) West Windsor Township Fire and Emergency Services – Captain Bain Incident Commander (Station 45)
2) Princeton Junction Volunteer Fire Company (Station 44)
3) West Windsor Volunteer Fire Company (Station 43)
4) Plainsboro Fire Company (Middlesex Station 49)
5) East Windsor District 1 Volunteer Fire Company (Station 42) 
6) East Windsor District 2 Volunteer Fire Company (Station 46) 
7) Hightstown Fire Company (Station 41) 
8) Lawrence Township Fire Department (Station 20)
9) Lawrenceville Fire Company (Station 23)
10) Princeton Fire Department (Station 60)
11) Lawrence Road Fire Company (Station 22)
12) Slackwood Fire Company (Station 21)
13) Hamilton Township Fire Department (Station 10)
14) Prospect Heights Volunteer Fire Company (Station 31)
15) Kingston Volunteer Fire Company (Middlesex Station 24)
16) Monmouth Junction Fire Company (Middlesex Station 20)
17) Mercer County Fire Coordinator
18) Mercer County Emergency Services Communications Center
19) NJ Division of Fire Safety
20) Princeton First and Rescue Squad (Station 168)
21) Plainsboro Emergency Medical Services (Middlesex Station 100)
22) Lawrence Township Emergency Medical Services (Station 129)
23) Capital Health System – MICU (Station 179)
24) Signal 22 Canteen 

REPORTING OFFICER: Ptl. B. Heath #103
 
LEAD INVESTIGATOR:  Det. W. Jones #84
                  
 
DETAILS: . On Wednesday April 7, 2021 at 3:17 pm, 43/44/45, the WWPD Patrol Division, Traffic Unit, and Detective Bureau were detailed to Building 8 (Taylor Court) in the Avalon Watch Apartment Complex on a report of a Structure Fire.  Upon arrival of the responding units, Building 8 was found to be engulfed by flames.  Immediately, evacuations of apartment units began while our firefighting partners began to battle the inferno.  The out of control fire quickly made its way to a 4^th Alarm status while all (24) apartment units were evacuated and nearby apartment building also began full scale evacuations. 
                      While the blaze was being contained (under control at 5:58 pm), the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office Arson Unit and the WWPD’s Detective Bureau continued the investigation into the fire’s origin.  A total of (4) First Responders reported minor injuries at the scene (none of which rendered anyone to be admitted to a hospital).  There were no reported fatalities or injuries to any civilians.    
                      The American Red Cross was activated.  Any and all inquiries to assist the families affected should be made either through www.redcross.org/donate/donation.html/ (by dropdown for local donations) or AvalonBay Communities through [email protected]. 


                      We cannot thank all of our First Responder partners (as listed above) enough for their incredible response when we needed them most.  We have attached additional photos that were captured with the usage of our Drones via our Drone Pilots.  Chief Garofalo & the WWPD wanted to thank our community for making the Drone Program a reality for situations such as yesterday.  The Drone's camera footage provided vantage points we would not have had.  It provided the Incident Commander with critical information to assist in suppression efforts. 
 
                       As of the time of this updated message, the investigation continues into the origin of the fire.  The preliminary findings are that the fire was not suspicious, however, the investigation will continue for days.  Lastly, thank you to the many residents of the Avalon Watch Apartment Complex who were directly or indirectly affected by the fire.  The cooperation from the residents during this harrowing incident was a huge reason there were no additional injuries or fatalities. 
                         
 
 
 
OFFICER PREPARING RELEASE:  Det. Lt. M. Lee #359
 
DATE OF RELEASE: 4/8/2021
 
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Instructions:

None