By Barbara A. Preston | Posted November 7, 2025
Montgomery Township police officers pulled a non-ambulatory resident from a fully engulfed fire at a home on the corner of Opossum Road and Thiemarx Terrace in Skillman early this morning.
“In a courageous act of bravery Sergeant James Ward, Officer Vanessa Hunter, and Officer Ryan Martinez were able to remove a non ambulatory woman from a burning home risking their own lives to save hers,” Chief Silvio Bet told The Montgomery News.
“With flames closing in and smoke filling the air, the three officers worked together to carry the woman to safety in a remarkable display of heroism and selflessness. I’m very proud and humbled by their bravery and commitment to serving and protecting the residents of Montgomery Township.”
The home on Opossum Road on Friday morning.
Photo by Barbara A. Preston
Two residents were transported to Robert Wood Johnson Hospital in Somerset for smoke inhalation and one firefighter to Princeton Medical Center for evaluation/smoke inhalation. Two male residents refused medical on scene.
Responding police officers were notified of an elderly resident with mobility issues that was still inside the residence. Upon arriving, the house was engulfed in fire and the officers were able to retrieve the resident.
Montgomery Township police provided The Montgomery News with this photo of the Opossum Road home at 4:13 am Friday.
Chief Bet told The Montgomery News that he is proud of the brave actions his officers took to carry her to safety.
Police Officer Hunter located some of the residents at the rear of the house and they directed her to the elderly resident who was near the rear doorway. Sergeant Ward and Officer Martinez arrived shortly after, and together the three officers were able to move the elderly resident to a safe location.
Montgomery Police, Montgomery Fire Companies 1 and 2, Rocky Hill Fire Department, and Montgomery EMS responded to the Opossum Road residence.
Initial reports advised that the front of the house was on fire and that one resident with mobility issues was still inside. Chief 46 and Deputy Chief 46 arrived within minutes of dispatch and confirmed heavy fire showing from the front of the structure, upgrading the incident to a first alarm.
Firefighters were able to quickly contain the fire to the front of the house and limit further damage. The residents were assessed on scene by Montgomery EMS and RWJ Paramedics, and later transported to a local hospital for treatment. Firefighters remained on scene to extinguish any remaining hot spots and ventilate the structure.
Companies on scene:
Montgomery Township Volunteer Fire Co. No. 2
Montgomery Township Volunteer Fire Co. No. 1
Rocky Hill Fire Department
Montgomery EMS
Griggstown Fire Department
Flagtown Fire/Rescue
Woods Road Fire Company
Princeton Fire Department
Plainsboro Fire Department
Companies on standby:
Lawrence Road Fire Company
The Montgomery Township Fire Marshall responded and is conducting an investigation on how the fire originated.
This is a breaking news story. Details will be added when available.
