BHFD Press Release: 2nd Alarm Fire at The Highlands Complex

BERKELEY HEIGHTS FIRE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate Release:

Contact: Jim Hopkins, Chief

(Ο) 908-464-0800

2nd Alarm Fire at The Highlands Complex

Berkeley Heights, N.J.: September 10 2025

Yesterday afternoon at 12:15 p.m., the Berkeley Heights Fire Department was dispatched to a reported house fire on Cardinal Court in the Highlands Townhouse complex. Upon arrival, units observed heavy smoke showing from the third floor. Crews initiated a search of the residence to ensure no occupants remained inside and to locate the source of the fire. The sole occupant had evacuated prior to the department’s arrival and was uninjured. The search revealed that the fire was located within the walls and had extended into the attic.

An initial hose line was advanced to the third floor; however, due to the fire completely involving the attic and a partial collapse of the chimney, an evacuation of the unit was ordered. Mutual aid companies from Chatham Township, New Providence, and Stirling arrived on the first alarm assignment, and operations shifted to preventing fire extension into the adjoining townhouse units. The Berkeley Heights Police Department had already evacuated the neighboring residences, with no injuries reported.

Despite fire extension into the attic of the adjacent unit, crews from the New Providence Fire Department, assisted by second alarm companies from Plainfield, Summit and Scotch Plains, successfully contained the spread and protected the remainder of the complex. The Berkeley Heights Tower Ladder, along with the Chatham Township Ladder, deployed master streams to control and extinguish the fire in the initial townhome.

The Berkeley Heights Rescue Squad, with assistance from Union County EMS and Mountainside EMS, provided on-scene medical support and firefighter rehabilitation. The fire was declared under control at 1:55 PM. During the incident, township fire coverage was maintained by departments from Warren, Watchung, Springfield, and Westfield.

Four families were displaced as a result of the fire damage, and the American Red Cross responded to provide assistance to those affected.

This fire is currently under investigation by the Union County Fire Investigation Task Force requests.

Any additional questions contact Chief James Hopkins