3rd Alarm in Monroe Twp.

Monroe Township (MIDDELSEX)--On October 29th, at approximately 0200hrs, Sta. 23, Sta. 57 and Sta. 51 were dispatched to Box 23-45, the Rossmoor Senior Community Village, for a reported house fire.  While units were calling in-service, police officers were advising that they can see the flames from Applegarth Rd.  Upon the arrival of 1st due apparatus, Ladder 23-8 (Lt. Daley), he reported a 2.5 story multiple family residence with fire through the roof of numerous apartments.  Lt. Daley established command and requested a full 2nd alarm bringing in Engines from Jamesburg, Hightstown (RIT), Cranbury, a Tower from Plainsboro, and the Middlesex County Fire Coordinators. 2nd due, Engine 23-5 (Lt. Fraler) arrived and reversed layed a 5" to a hydrant.  Engine 23-5 pumped the hydrant for maximum pressure.  Engine 23-5, Chief 51 (Pipero) and Deputy Chief 51 (Kivet) forced numerous doors and did quick primary searches to assure everyone was evacuated.  At this time, the heavy fire conditions were compromising numerous attached and detached exposures.  Tower 57 arrived and put the tower into operation, attempting to darken down heavy fire conditions..  Engine 51 (Lt. Stienhauser) arrived with a crew of 7 and went right to work with Lt. Fralers crew and D/C Kivet's crew from 51 worked on an attached exposure with heavy fire blowing out of the gable.  A condo pack was stretched due to the apartment being in the end of the courtyard.  An Engine Company from Jamesburg assisted and all three crews made an exceptional save with the well advanced conditions already present.  The fire was placed under control approximately an hour into the event.
     A 3rd Alarm was transmitted to bring in standby engine companies from Spotswood, East Windsor 46, Brookview, and a Tower from East Brunswick Dist. #1 in Monroe FD houses. 
     The cause of the fire is still under investigation by Monroe Fire Dist #3 in conjunction with Monroe Police.