Bayberry Road Home Gutted By Fire

A Bayberry Road home was destroyed by a fire that took more than two hours to break down in the early Monday morning hours.

According to North Branch Fire Company Chief David Hickson, firefighters were dispatched to 455 Bayberry Road at 4:11 a.m. with the report of a structure fire.

When Green Knoll Fire Chief James Vitale arrived on the scene, Hickson said, he found a large volume of fire, and was told that all occupants of the home had fled.

Hickson said there had been a father and his two children in the house at the time of the fire. All suffered burns from the fire, he said, and were treated by the Green Knoll and Martinsville rescue squads before being transported to St. Barnabus Burn Center.

Hickson said the large volume of fire in the house was not the only problem firefighters faced.

"The large volume of fire was complicated by sparking, live electrical wires that were feeding the home," he said. "As the lines continued to spark as a constant reminder of the danger, the firefighters quickly worked to contain the blaze while staying safely away from the arching wires."

Green Knoll Fire Company, Hickson said, set up a platform ladder truck and sent out hand lines around the structure.

"Green Knoll Engine 109 laid a 1,500-foot supply line down Bayberry Road from Foothill Road," he said.

Firefighters remained on the scene for about two-and-a-half hours, Hickson said.

At this time, Hickson said, the cause of the fire is unknown, but the home has been destroyed and is unlivable.

Hickson said there is no update on the condition of the family.

On the scene at the fire were Green Knoll Fire Company, North Branch Fire Company, Bradley Gardens Fire Company, Country Hills Fire Company, Green Knoll Rescue Squad, Martinsville Rescue Squad, Bridgewater Police Department, Bridgewater Fire Official and Somerset County Mutual Aid Coordinator.