Dump Truck Fire Spreads Into Storm Drain At Hillsborough Industrial Park

HILLSBOROUGH, NJ — A dump truck fire at an industrial park in Hillsborough spread into storm drain piping on Wednesday.

At around 12:30 p.m., firefighters were called to an industrial park on Roycefield Road in Hillsborough for a dump truck fire.

Firefighters found "a well-involved truck near the building and with burning fuel in the storm drains," according to Flagtown Fire/Rescue - Hillsborough Volunteer Fire Co. #1.

The fire was quickly knocked down by crews using two handlines and several 20-pound dry chemical fire extinguishers.

The nearby building had minor heat damage.

Firefighters then faced a longer fight below ground. A "remaining fire underground" made the situation more complicated, and plastic storm drain piping continued to burn for well over an hour until crews found a way to get water into the pipe, said the fire department.

Specialty nozzles, including a cellar nozzle and a piercing nozzle, were used to try and extinguish the underground fire, but crews could not get water far enough down the pipe, said the department.

Firefighters then positioned a portable monitor in the storm drain and aimed it into the pipe, which finally extinguished the fire.

The significant fuel spill was handled by the HAZMAT team.

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