The Montgomery News | Posted Dec. 10, 2025
A garage fire in Belle Mead closed Route 601 for three hours on Tuesday, (Dec. 9), from about 2 pm to 5 pm, creating rush-hour traffic jams throughout the township, especially on Route 206.
A Montgomery Township fire marshal investigation indicates the flames originated from a wood stove left unattended in the detached garage of a single-family home. There were no injuries reported during the event.
The garage contained potential hazardous materials, such as gasoline and oil, so the Somerset County Hazardous Materials Emergency Response Team was contacted and responded. Officers from the Montgomery police department, along with Montgomery Fire Companies 1 and 2, Rocky Hill Fire Company, and Montgomery EMS responded.
The garage on the property was fully engulfed in fire when first responders arrived at the scene in the 300-block of Route 601. Montgomery Police Lt. Jason Larsen said a passerby called the police, and reported heavy smoke coming from the location at 2:03 pm.
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Due to the location on the property and lack of water supply, the south Somerset County fire tanker task force also was activated for assistance. The fire companies battled the blaze for over an hour.
