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Multi-Alarm Inferno Destroys Old RubberFactory

AformerHamilton Township rubberfactory where fire hose was once manufactured was destroyed by a spectacularmulti-alarm fire on May 18, 2023. The old Goodall RubberCo. site on Whitehead Road was made up of several inter-connected buildings, including a block-long two-story structure built in 1852. Originally a woolen mill where military uniforms were made during the Civil War, that building was turned into a rubbermanufactory in 1870. Goodall closed its doors in 1990 and the site fell into disrepairand remained at the top of local firefighters’list of hazardous buildings. Dispatched at 0030, Hamilton firefighters arrived to heavy smoke and fire throughout the structure. Adefensive operation was ordered and several additional alarms were transmitted, calling in mutual aid from Trenton, Lawrence, Ewing and elsewhere. At the height of operations, eight aerial masterstreams and numerous ground monitors and handlines were flowing, with watersupplied from several hydrants and from four engines drafting from the nearby Delaware and Raritan Canal. It was estimated that nearly 6,000 gallons-perminute were supplied by the drafting operation alone. More than two dozen companies from overa dozen municipalities — including multiple units from Burlington County — operated on scene, while other companies, including some from Hunterdon County, were relocated forarea coverage. While the fire was finally declared undercontrol at 0318, firefighters remained at the scene flowing wateron the ruins until 1845 on May 20. Only one minorfirefighterinjury was reported. Arson investigators from multiple agencies were investigating the cause.

- Fire News photos by Michael Ratcliffe

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