15-Year-Old Charged with April 12 Fire on Route 33 in Robbinsville

April 26, 2022

ROBBINSVILLE, NJ (MERCER)–Police say that a 15-year-old Robbinsville resident was charged with one count of Arson and one count of Burglary in regards to the Route 33 fire on April 12, 2022. Police said they are unable to release any further information, due to the fact that the accused is a juvenile.

On April 12, 2022, around 6:53 p.m. the Robbinsville Police Department received multiple 9-1-1 calls reporting a fire in the 2300 block of Route 33. A Robbinsville police officer also reported seeing a column of smoke in the air and the Robbinsville Township Fire Department was dispatched. Mutual aid fire departments were also called to the scene from Hamilton, and others.

Upon arrival of the first fire apparatus, fire crews reported a well involved abandoned building on fire and used a deck gun to start knocking down the fire. Hamilton Township fire department arrived and assisted pulling two hand lines and helped set up a water supply.

Fire crews had the bulk of the fire knocked down within minutes but remained on scene for extensive overhaul and also for the fire investigation. Hope Fire Company of Allentown responded initially to the scene but was diverted to cover any additional calls. Other mutual aid departments not on scene were recalled en route.

Robbinsville Township Police closed Route 33 in both directions until the fire was brought under control and apparatus and fire hoses could be removed from the highway.

Arson investigators were called from the Mercer County Prosecutors Office, detectives from the Robbinsville Township Police Department, and the Robbinsville Township Fire Marshal’s Office was also on scene for the investigation. The fire was in an old, abandoned 20×30 feet garage that was in a wooded area. PSE&G was called to the scene but did not find any electricity or gas to the building.