Lawrence Township Fire Log: May 21-27

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 12 calls answered by township firefighters from May 21 through May 27, 2011. All calls occurred within Lawrence Township, except where noted.

The total number of fire calls for 2011 through May 27 is 402.

– Eagles Chase Drive

• Dispatch: 12:00 p.m.  Last Unit Returned: 12:42 p.m.
• Fire in the engine compartment of a Hummer. The vehicle’s owner and a police officer used two dry chemical fire extinguishers to contain the blaze until Rescue 23 from Lawrenceville Fire Co. arrived to finish putting out the flames.

#2 (#392) Saturday, May 21 – Odor of Smoke – 100 block Harmony Avenue

• Dispatch: 10:49 p.m. Last Unit Returned: 11:17 p.m.
• Slackwood Fire Co. was dispatched to investigate an odor of smoke in the neighborhood.

#3 (#393) Sunday, May 22 – Odor of Smoke – 500 block West Ingham Avenue, Ewing Township

• Dispatch: (not available) Last Unit Returned: (not available)
• Engine 21 and Snorkel 21 responded mutual aid into Ewing Township to help Ewing firefighters investigate an odor of smoke in a residence.

#4 (#394) Sunday, May 22 – Fire Alarm – 1000 block Pennington Road (Route 31), Ewing Twp.

• Dispatch: 8:21 p.m.  Last Unit Returned: 8:55 p.m.
• Alarm accidentally set off due to unattended cooking. Station 23 responded to assist Ewing Township firefighters.

– 3100 block Princeton Pike

• Dispatch: 8:54 a.m.  Last Unit Returned: 10:30 a.m.
• Suspicious white powder in an envelope inside an office that sorts mail for the state government. Workers who handled the envelope were quarantined, while the rest of the building was evacuated. Substance in the envelope was eventually determined to be harmless baking soda. No injuries. Criminal investigation launched by police. Stations 20, 23 and Trenton Fire Department hazardous materials task force responded.

#6 (#396) Monday, May 23 – Odor of Smoke – 900 block Mulberry Street

• Dispatch: 7:16 p.m.  Last Unit Returned: 7:58 p.m.
• Slackwood Fire Co. was dispatched to investigate an odor of smoke in the neighborhood.

#7 (#397) Tuesday, May 24 – Carbon Monoxide Alarm – Joyner Court

• Dispatch: 4:54 a.m.  Last Unit Returned: 5:41 a.m.
• Alarm system malfunction. Stations 21, 22, 23 responded.

#8 (#398) Tuesday, May 24 – Vehicle Fire – 3200 block Lawrence Road (Route 206)

• Dispatch: 7:58 a.m. Last Unit Returned: 8:15 p.m.
• Reported school bus fire. Brakes found to be overheated. No fire. Stations 20, 23 responded.

#9 (#399) Wednesday, May 25 – Fire Alarm – 4300 block Province Line Road

• Dispatch: 7:59 a.m.  Last Unit Returned: 8:21 a.m.
• Alarm set off due to unattended cooking. Stations 20, 22, 23 responded.

– 3100 block Brunswick Pike (Route 1)

• Dispatch: 12:59 p.m.  Last Unit Returned: 1:28 p.m.
• Car flipped over several times and landed back on its wheels after colliding with a tractor-trailer. Driver and passenger in the car were injured but not trapped. Stations 20, 21, 22, 23 responded.

#11 (#401) Wednesday, May 25 – Fire Alarm – Princess Road

• Dispatch: 10:49 p.m.  Last Unit Returned: 11:50 p.m.
• Alarm system activated when workers accidentally broke a fire sprinkler head. Stations 21, 23 responded.

#12 (#402) Friday, May 27 – Fire Alarm – 200 block Bakers Basin Road

• Dispatch: 10:18 a.m.  Last Unit Returned: 10:45 a.m.
• Alarm system malfunction. Stations 20, 21, 22, 23 responded with Ladder 30 (Falls Township, Pa.) and Engine 98 (Morrisville, Pa.) who were helping cover Lawrence Township during the funeral of a longtime Lawrence firefighter.