Quick Action and Local Firefighters Save Montgomery Historic Home from Fire

Breaking News

By Barbara A. Preston for The Montgomery News | October. 18, 2026

A Sunday morning house fire at a historic Skillman property on Route 206 was quickly contained thanks to the swift actions of the homeowner and local fire departments.

Firefighters extinguish flames at a home on Route 206 early this morning.

Photo courtesy of Montgomery Fire Company No. 2.

Jack Perlmutter, a resident of the area for 40 years, discovered the fire around 5 am after waking up to heavy smoke and noticing an orange glow outside. He had used his living room fireplace for the first time of the season the previous night.

Upon discovering flames within the first-floor wall, Perlmutter said he immediately called 911, ran outside in a tee shirt and his bare feet, and began applying water with a garden hose while waiting for emergency responders. 

Jack Perlmutter of KS Engineers outside his home on Sunday afternoon.

Photo by Barbara A. Preston

"If I had slept another 30 minutes or longer, it would have been much worse," Perlmutter said. He praised the rapid and coordinated response of local police, emergency medical services, and volunteer firefighters.

Fire crews from Montgomery, Rocky Hill, Princeton, and Hopewell Borough arrived promptly, using specialized saws to cut through exterior siding and wall materials to extinguish the fire and check for hidden extensions. Montgomery EMS (Squad 47) set up firefighter rehab at the scene.

Montgomery Fire Company No. 2 Chief Kyle Rendall told The Montgomery News the two residents of the home were safe, as were their two pets.

Fire officials traced the cause to embers that traveled through small gaps near the interior masonry chimney firebox area into the surrounding wall structure. While the home sustained localized damage to the wall and exterior siding, the main structure remains intact and salvageable. The residents are able to remain in the home, Rendall said.

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As colder weather sets in and residents begin firing up their fireplaces, the incident serves as an important reminder for homeowners to ensure heating systems and chimneys are thoroughly inspected, Chief Rendall said. 

Route 206 was closed for about three hours (6 am to 9 am) from Montgomery Road to Village Drive.

Photo Gallery

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  The historic home.

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  The dog is safe.

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  Location of the fire.

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  Photo from Montgomery Fire Co. No. 2

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  Photo from Montgomery Fire Co. No. 2