The Woodbridge Fire Department responded to a call around 3:40 p.m. and found the one-story building fully engulfed, with flames coming through the roof and in bushes nearby.
The building was located in a wooded area behind Rahway Avenue, and had been abandoned for several years. Fire officials said trees that had fallen over time were leaning against the building, which formerly served as an architect's office and was packed with blueprints.
Fire Lt. Bob Hilliard said boarded up windows made it hard for firefighters to gain access, and they spent more than four hours knocking down the flames.
Residents from houses in the neighborhood gathered to watch the scene.
Fire companies from Woodbridge, Iselin, Fords and Perth Amboy responded and stayed on the scene late into the evening tamping down residual hot pockets.
No one was injured, though Hilliard said hot weather contributed to exhaustion. Woodbridge and Perth Amboy first aid teams attended to overheated firefighters.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
DISTRICT 2
FROM THE HOME NEWS TRIBUNE JULY 20 2008
FedEx driver killed on Turnpike in Woodbridge
Paul Kelly, 41, of Manahawkin was pronounced dead at Raritan Bay Medical Center at 12:45 a.m. Saturday, July 19.
The FedEx truck clipped three vehicles that were involved in a previous accident, then ran up against the guardrail and rolled onto its side around 11:30 p.m. Friday near milepost 95 in Woodbridge.
Previously, a 2003 Honda Civic had been driving northbound in the left center lane of the outer roadway of the Turnpike.
An unknown sport utility vehicle crossed into the same lane, and the Honda swerved to avoid colliding. The Honda ran into a UPS semitrailer in the adjacent lane, and became wedged under the rear of the truck.
The UPS truck steered over to the right shoulder, dragging the Honda with it. When both vehicles came to a stop, the back of the Honda was partially in the right lane of traffic.
The driver of a 1998 Ford Expedition pulled onto the shoulder in front of the UPS truck to offer assistance in removing the Honda's driver from the car.
The FedEx truck driven by Kelly came upon the scene and hit all three of the stopped vehicles.
At least three people were injured. One passenger inside the Ford Expedition of them was transported by helicopter to the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey in Newark. Two others passengers in the Ford were taken to UMDMJ by ambulance.
The identities and conditions of the people involved in the accident have not been released.
