BOONTON — A three-alarm fire broke out at 121 Mechanic Street in Boonton on Saturday, December 17, at approximately 11:15 p.m. It has been reported that three firefighters have been injured and are being transported to Morristown Memorial Hospital.
For approximately one to two hours through three alarms and the response of approximately 100 firefighters, the fire was under control. Seven people were rescued from the second floor apartments.
Initial reports indicated no injuries, but multiple residents are currently undergoing evaluation. However, updated reports now confirm that three firefighters are being transported to Morristown Memorial Hospital. All have trauma-related injuries that are not life-threatening or are serious.
Google Maps indicates that IDJ Inc. operates as a machine shop at this location and apartments on the top floor.
The displaced families from the second floor were met by the Red Cross to ensure that they had a place to stay. There were also four dogs rescued safely.
Various fire departments and organizations, including the Town of Boonton Fire, Boonton Township Fire, Mountain Lakes Fire, Montville Fire, Lake Hiawatha Fire District 4, Parsippany-Troy Hills Volunteer Fire District 5, Whippany Fire Department, Mount Tabor Volunteer Fire Department, Morris County OEM, JCPL, NJ Natural Gas, and Morris County Fire Coordinator, worked together to address the incident. Pompton Plains and East Hanover were on standby, providing coverage for the station house during this emergency. Morris Plains Fire Department was dispatched for the use of their air truck.
The cause and origin of the fire remain under investigation by the Boonton Police Department’s Detective Bureau, Morris County Sheriff’s Crime Scene Unit, and Town fire officials. At this time the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office was notified and they will not respond.
