Lawrence Township Fire Log: March 12-18

Lawrence Township is protected by three volunteer fire companies: (Station 21), founded in 1907; Lawrence Road Fire Co. (Station 22), organized in 1914; and Lawrenceville Fire Co. (Station 23), founded in 1915. Fires, motor vehicle accidents, hazardous situations, chemical spills, natural disasters, floods and animal rescues are among the wide variety of emergency situations to which the fire companies regularly respond. 

When an emergency is reported through the 911 system, volunteer firefighters are alerted via pager. If they are available, they leave their homes, jobs or wherever they are at the time and respond to their respective firehouses. Once a minimum number of volunteers (usually four) are present, they staff a fire engine, ladder truck or other apparatus and respond to the scene of the emergency.

Between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday to Friday (with the exception of holidays) Lawrence Township's four career (paid) firefighters also respond to emergencies under the designation of Station 20. 

The following is a log of all 18 calls answered by township firefighters from March 12 through March 18, 2011. All calls occurred within Lawrence Township, except where noted.

The total number of fire calls for 2011 through March 18 is 228.

#1 (#211) Saturday, March 12 – Fire Alarm – Lawrenceville-Pennington Road

• Dispatch: 6:14 a.m.  Last Unit Returned: 6:38 a.m.
• Alarm accidentally set off by unattended cooking (burnt toast). Stations 21, 22, 23 responded.

#2 (#212) Saturday, March 12 – Fire Alarm – Franklin Corner Road

• Dispatch: 10:08 a.m.  Last Unit Returned: 10:34 a.m.
• Accidental activation of alarm system. Stations 22, 23 responded.

#3 (#213) – Johnson Road

• Dispatch: 11:51 a.m. Last Unit Returned: 12:06 p.m.
• Sewage backup in basement. Station 21 responded.

#4 (#214) Saturday, March 12 – Carbon Monoxide Alarm – 600 block Sonnett Place

• Dispatch: 1:28 p.m.  Last Unit Returned: 2:03 p.m.
• Alarm system malfunction. Stations 21, 23 responded.

#5 (#215) Saturday, March 12 – Open Burning – Tomlyn Drive

• Dispatch: 3:39 p.m.  Last Unit Returned: 4:03 p.m.
• 911 caller reported a possible house fire after seeing flames coming in the area of a neighbor’s house. Found to be an outside fire pit. Same was extinguished. Stations 21, 22, 23 responded.

#6 (#216) Sunday, March 13 – Fire Alarm – Lawrenceville-Pennington Road

• Dispatch: 11:46 a.m.  Last Unit Returned: 12:08 p.m.
• Alarm accidentally set off by unattended cooking. Stations 22, 23 responded.

#7 (#217) Monday, March 14 – Structure Fire – 100 block Review Avenue

• Dispatch: 10:06 a.m.  Last Unit Returned: 11:32 a.m.
• Fire originated in area of wood-burning stove and spread to rear addition of home. Fire was brought under control in under 20 minutes. Stations 20, 21, 22, 23 responded.

#8 (#218) Monday, March 14 – EMS Assist – Eldridge Avenue

• Dispatch: 10:22 p.m. Last Unit Returned: 10:47 p.m.
• Reported as a child having difficulty breathing. Firefighters assisted EMS with the care of 11-year-old, who was then transported by ambulance to the hospital. Station 22 responded.

#9 (#219) Tuesday, March 15 – Smoke Condition – 3200 block Brunswick Pike

• Dispatch: 5:18 a.m.  Last Unit Returned: 6:01 a.m.
• Thick smoke reported coming from the Enterprise Rent-A-Car building. Firefighters forced entry to the building and found the smoke was being generated by a defective heater. No fire. Stations 21, 22, 23 responded.

#10 (#220) Tuesday, March 15 – Fire Alarm – 100 block Lawrence Road

• Dispatch: 9:21 a.m.  Last Unit Returned: 9:44 a.m.
• Alarm system malfunction. Stations 20, 21, 22 responded.

#11 (#221) Tuesday, March 15 – Electrical Fire – 1500 block New York Avenue

• Dispatch: 9:51 a.m.  Last Unit Returned: 10:20 a.m.
• Defective motor in ceiling fan started a small fire. Quickly extinguished. Smoke cleared from building. Stations 20, 21, 22 responded.

#12 (#222) Tuesday, March 15 – Brush Fire – Brunswick Circle

• Dispatch: 9:56 a.m. Last Unit Returned: 10:19 a.m.
• Small brush fire extinguished by Station 21 and 31 (Prospect Heights Fire Co., Ewing Township).

#13 (#223) Tuesday, March 15 – Vehicle Fire – Interstate 95 near Exit 7

• Dispatch: 8:24 p.m.  Last Unit Returned: 8:50 p.m.
• Small fire involving the rear brakes of a tractor-trailer. Quickly extinguished. Station 23 responded.

#14 (#224) Wednesday, March 16 – Fire Alarm – Vanderveer Drive

• Dispatch: 1:41 a.m.  Last Unit Returned: 1:50 a.m.
• Alarm accidentally set off by unattended cooking. Stations 22, 23 responded.

#15 (#225) Wednesday, March 16 – Fire Alarm – 2900 block Brunswick Pike

• Dispatch: 11:35 a.m.  Last Unit Returned: 11:52 a.m.
• Accidental activation of alarm system. Stations 20, 21, 22 responded.

#16 (#226) Thursday, March 17 – Fire Alarm – Craven Lane

• Dispatch:  11:31 p.m. Last Unit Returned: 11:59 p.m.
• Malfunction of alarm system at Lawrenceville Elementary School. Stations 22, 23 responded.

#17 (#227) Friday, March 18 – Vehicle Fire – Stratford Avenue, Ewing Township

• Dispatch: 4:40 p.m.  Last Unit Returned: 4:44 p.m.
• Rescue 22 from Lawrence Road Fire Co. dispatched to aid Ewing Township firefighters with a vehicle fire next to a house. Fire quickly extinguished by Ewing crews and Rescue 22 cancelled.

#18 (#228) Friday, March 18 – Fire Alarm – 2300 block Lawrence Road

• Dispatch: 9:49 p.m.  Last Unit Returned: 10:02 p.m.
• Malfunction of alarm system at St. Lawrence Rehabilitation Center. Stations 22, 23 responded.