By: Richard L. Smith
Firefighters remained on the scene of a massive three-alarm house fire in Middlesex County early Sunday morning, where several people were rescued, firefighters were injured and one person remained unaccounted for.
The fire broke out at a residence in the area of 10 Front Street in Jamesburg shortly after 1 a.m. Sunday.
Initial reports indicated that the house was heavily involved in flames, prompting officials to transmit a second alarm as crews worked to protect nearby exposures and search the burning structure.
Conditions deteriorated as firefighters battled the blaze.
At approximately 1:39 a.m., crews were ordered to evacuate the building, and shortly afterward, firefighters began removing victims from the rear of the residence.
CPR was reportedly performed on at least one victim.
The emergency intensified when a portion of the second floor collapsed, prompting a mayday call for firefighters operating inside the structure.
All firefighters were subsequently accounted for, but three firefighters were transported by EMS for injuries.
Their conditions were not immediately available.
By approximately 2:45 a.m., reports indicated that three victims had been removed from the structure.
The incident eventually reached a third alarm, bringing additional resources to the scene, including a requested canteen unit from Mercer County.
As of shortly after 4 a.m., crews remained actively engaged at the scene, and one victim was reportedly still unaccounted for.
Officials have not confirmed the condition of the civilians removed from the home, and no fatalities have been officially announced.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
This is a developing story. Additional information will be provided as it becomes available.