Massive North Brunswick Warehouse Fire Can Be Seen For Miles.

NORTH BRUNSWICK — A warehouse caught fire overnight in North Brunswick and continued burning for hours, prompting a region-wide response and casting a pall of smoke that could be seen for miles.

The warehouse on Livingston Avenue went up in flames around 2 a.m., police and fire personnel said. The 600,000-square-foot warehouse includes space for the DCH Collision Center car repair shop, plus plastics and rug manufacturers.
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North Brunswick warehouse fire A massive fire broke out an an auto dealership's warehouse in North Brunswick on Wednesday July 22, 2015.

Fire Chief Donald Salzmann said at a news conference that one firefighter suffered a minor hand injury, but nobody else was hurt.

As of about 9 a.m., the fire was under control, but still burning hot in the south end of the warehouse, where a plastics manufacturer operates. The fire started in the center of the building, and firefighters were unable to keep it from spreading, Salzmann said. About eight different companies operate in the building, Salzmann said.

One building at a nearby apartment complex caught fire due to ambient heat, Salzmann said at a news conference, but it was quickly extinguished.

It's not clear when residents will be able to go back home. County HazMat crews will have to make that assessment. Air quality checks will also be conducted.

Mayor Francis "Mac" Womack said residents of North Brunswick and South Brunswick might experience low water pressure.

"They should conserve water and be prepared for that," Womack said.

The town said in an emailed alert that residents should keep windows and doors shut and air conditioners off, when possible, due to the smoke. Water might be discolored due to pressure issues.

A staging area for evacuees has been set up at the Linwood Middle School. The Birchwood, Hearthwood and part of the Manor housing complexes were evacuated due to an enormous plume of smoke.