Day: November 15, 2020

Firefighters Quickly Snuff Garage Fire And Save Home

November 15, 2020, updated 11/16/2020 with information from West Windsor Police below the original story:

WEST WINDSOR, NJ (MERCER)–Around 6:00 pm a garage fire attached to a house was reported on fire in the 1st block of Springwood Drive. Firefighters responding reported smoke showing prior to arrival and called for a full first alarm. Upon arrival firefighters stretched a 2 1/2″ line and immediately extinguished the fire, saving the home. The fire was under control in less than 10 minutes. At the scene were Princeton Junction Fire Company, Plainsboro Fire Department, West Windsor Emergency Service and West Windsor Fire Company. The fire was under investigation by the West Windsor Township Fire Marshal.


Monday morning update from West Windsor Police:

On Sunday November 15, 2020 at 5:56 pm, Stations #43 & #44 and Patrol Units were detailed to a residence on Springwood Drive on a report of a fire in the garage (attached to residence).  Ptl. Buchanan was first on scene and noticed observed flames in the garage area.  Initially, Ptl. Buchanan battled the flames with his Chemical Extinguisher without success.  Although the home was undergoing renovations and was possibly unoccupied, Ptl. Buchanan still gained entry through the front door of the residence where he was met by ovewhelming smoke.  Ptl. Buchanan began to yell inside of the structure to confirm that nobody was inside as he was thwarted from further entry by the thick smoke.  Station #44 arrived on scene and  qucikly extinguished the fire while preventing further substantial damage to the dwelling.  In addition, Station #44 searched the remainder of the residence and confirmed that nobody was inside. 

     The initial investigation revealed the following; the residence was undergoing cosmetic renovations after recently being sold to a new owner.   Some supplies of the contractor had been inside of the garage area.  The fire began in the garage bay area closest to the remainder of the residence.  The fire/water damage was minor/moderate to the garage area while smoke damage was found in the garage, dining/living room area and foyer.  

      There were no injuries to any of the First Responders.  Although initial findings that there was nothing suspicious in the fire, the WWPD Detective Bureau is continuing the investigation along with our partners at the WW Division of Fire & Emergency Services,  If anyone has any pertinent information into the fire please contact Det. W. Jones #84 at (609) 799-1222 or WJones@westwindsorpolice.com.  

1)  Det. Lt. Lee #359
                                      2) Sgt. Loretucci #476
                                      3)  Det. W. Jones #84
                                      4)  Ptl. Hoffman #110
                                      5)  WW Div of Fire & Emergency Services
                                      6)  Prin. Jct. Vol. Fire Co. Station #44
                                      7)  WW Vol. Fire Co. Station #43
                                      8)  Plainsboro Vol. Fire Co. Station #49
                                      9)  WW Building Authority
                                     10) PSE&G


Wires Burn On Route 130, Creates Power Problems

November 15, 2020

ROBBINSVILLE-EAST WINDSOR-WEST WINDSOR, NJ (MERCER)-MILLSTONE (MONMOUTH)–Gusty winds from an approaching line of storms moving though the area caused several power issues in the Mercer County and Monmouth County areas.

In Robbinsville around 7:15 pm a falling tree branch from a tree on Route 130 near the Oakwood Motel fell onto electrical wires causing a fire. Robbinsville Township Police Closed Route 130 south bound at Meadowbrook Road until the burning branch fell and self extinguished. The Robbinsville Township Fire Department stood by on the south bound side of the roadway until the fire was out and the area was safe. The roadway was reopened a short time later. There were several other related power issued with this event, several Robbinsville residents have reported power issues and issues have appeared to been resolved at the time of this report. If not restored notify your power company.

As of 9:10 pm the PSE&G outage map reports Robbinsville Township clear. The JCP&L outage map shows a couple of outages in East Windsor and West Windsor near Hankins Road, Village Road East and Old Trenton Road.

In Millstone Township Monmouth County between 100 and 500 JCP&L customers are out of power from a power line down and burning on Millstone Road between Sweetmans Lane and Bittner Road.


Update: FBI Reports Bank Robber Captured That Held Up Area Banks

November 15, 2020

NEWARK, NJ — The FBI Tweeted a few moments ago that bank robber James Tyler O’Toole. He was arrested in Queens yesterday.

A subject matching a similar description held up area banks including East Windsor and Lawrence Township. The FBI does not always comment on active investigations. Once in the hands of the US Attorney we should have more information on exact locations, expect another update soon.

Related MidJersey.News stories:

Hold Up Man Strikes Chase Bank In Lawrence Township Today

Another Bank Robbery Reported, This Time In East Windsor

WANTED BY THE FBI Tyler James O’Toole For Bank Robberies

Update: FBI Reports Bank Robber Captured That Held Up Area Banks

Update: Ohio Man Charged With Robbing NJ Banks Including East Windsor, Lawrence Twp., and Mt. Holly