FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 1, 2022

Point of Contact: Lt. Matthew Lubin, Fire Official

m-lubin@cranfordnj.org 

CRANFORD FIRE AND POLICE DEPARTMENTS RESPOND TO A RESIDENTIAL STRUCTURE FIRE ON GALLOWS HILL RD

CRANFORD – The Cranford Fire/EMS and Police Departments and the Cranford First Aid Squad responded to a residential structure fire on Gallows Hill Road last evening, May 31st. Fire Department units were dispatched around 8:40 p.m. to the 700-block of Gallows Hill Rd reporting a structure fire. A fire unit clearing a prior incident on the same street arrived within one minute. First arriving units found smoke showing from the roof line of a two-story residential dwelling. Fire units initiated an interior fire attack on the second floor and determined that all of the home’s occupants were accounted for. The incident escalated to three alarms, bringing in mutual aid fire resources from several surrounding communities via the Union County Fire Mutual Aid System. The Cranford First Aid Squad provided an EMS stand-by team.

The fire was brought under control around 9:26pm. Mutual Aid resources from neighboring Fire Departments provided fire protection for the Township from Cranford Fire Headquarters while local resources were committed at the scene.

Two occupants were home at the time the fire started, but escaped without injury by immediately leaving once they discovered a smoke condition. The home was deemed uninhabitable due to smoke and water damage.

Remaining units cleared the scene around midnight. The cause of the fire is under investigation by the CFD Bureau of Fire Prevention and the Cranford Police Department.

The Fire Department reminds all residents that the most effective way to protect you and your family from fire is to have working smoke and carbon monoxide alarms throughout your home, have an escape plan with two ways out, and regular fire drills with your family. Test smoke and carbon monoxide alarms monthly and check on family, friends, and neighbors who may not be able to test their alarms.  

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