Pregnant Workers Hospitalized After Avenel Warehouse Fire

Four pregnant employees suffered minor smoke inhalation on Monday afternoon after a multiple-alarm fire broke out at National Fence Systems Inc. on Route 1 South in Avenel, officials said.

An industrial oven caught fire at around 12:30 p.m. at the business, according to Woodbridge Police Capt. Roy Hoppock.  All employees were evacuated and the four pregnant women were taken to Raritan Bay Medical Center for smoke inhalation as a precaution, Hoppock added.

The roof of National Fences collapsed as fire tore through the warehouse for a few hours. Route 1 South was also blocked off completely at the start of the fire and then moved to a closure of one lane until the fire was completely out, according to Hoppock.

Hoppock added that all township fire departments and the township Office of Emergency Management Coordinator were on scene along with mutual aid from surrounding fire departments.