The Red Rock Fire, Explained: March 18, 2026 and the Township's Response

The short version

• A fire at the Red Rock development on Wednesday, March 18, 2026 displaced residents; the Township’s March 20 release estimated 60–80 residents and said no lives were lost.
• The Township described its role as emergency response and short-term stabilization, with longer-term housing and social services coordinated at the county level.
• The March 27 update said displaced residents were being assisted through county services and that the fire, with arson ruled out, appeared accidental.
• At the Township Committee on April 13, 2026, Administrator Gregory Bonin said the County, Conifer, the United Way and volunteer agencies were still helping affected residents, and Mayor James Schworn said the Township would inform residents when the fire report is available.

March 20: the Township’s account

Mayor James Schworn’s March 20, 2026 release, “Branchburg Township Update on the Residential Fire of March 18, 2026 — How to Help Affected Residents,” states:

• Branchburg Township and its volunteer fire and rescue services responded Wednesday to “a significant residential fire at the Red Rock development that displaced approximately 60–80 residents.”
• No lives were lost; the release commends the response of the Township’s fire, police and EMS personnel and thanks fire and rescue services from neighboring towns.
• In the immediate aftermath the Township worked with local partners, “including the property owner Conifer Realty and the Red Cross,” to stabilize the situation and secure temporary accommodations and basic necessities.
• The Township’s role in such events “is focused on immediate emergency response and short-term stabilization. Under New Jersey’s structure, longer-term housing, placement, and social services are coordinated at the County level, typically in partnership with the State and organizations such as the Red Cross.”
• The release thanks residents, businesses and community organizations for an “outpouring of support” and directs donations through established, vetted service providers; an American Red Cross list of Somerset County organizations was attached. The release gives no count of donations or participants.

March 27: the follow-up

The Township posted an update on March 27, 2026, linking a further release from Mayor Schworn. That update states:

• The Township recognizes Captain Ed Edgar (Branchburg PD) and Health Officer Jim Norgalis as lead coordinators for the Office of Emergency Management.
• Under the Township’s OEM protocols, the Township is responsible for initial placement and immediate support of displaced residents; after that phase, “responsibility transitions to Somerset County Social Services,” which provides longer-term housing solutions and broader support services.
• “At this time, residents displaced by the fire are being assisted through county services.”
• The Branchburg Parent-Teacher Organization has coordinated local relief from a central support location at River Lea Farm; its website is branchburgpto.org.
• “While the fire investigation remains ongoing, authorities have ruled out arson. Preliminary findings indicate that the fire was accidental in nature,” with details to be shared once the investigation is complete.

March 23: at the Township Committee

At the March 23, 2026 Committee meeting, which opened with the Police Department’s awards ceremony, Mayor Schworn spoke about the fire at the Red Rock Preserve development. According to the minutes:

• He said that, because of the quick actions of the Police and Fire Departments, there were no injuries or fatalities from the fire, which destroyed numerous units at the complex. Police Chief Buck also spoke about the police force’s work at the fire.
• During the Administrator’s report, the Mayor said the fire caused major losses to the property and the residents, with no fatalities or serious injuries; that residents were being assisted by Somerset County Social Services and the Red Cross; and that the Office of Emergency Management and other agencies had helped residents find temporary housing.
• Administrator Gregory Bonin said there were too many people to thank, and that the emergency services, staff and many local businesses had stepped in to organize and provide help.
• The members discussed where to donate and the coordination of housing; the minutes say the Township would post more information on where to donate when it became available.

April 13: the last update

At the April 13, 2026 Committee meeting:

• Health Officer Jim Norgalis’s March report to the Board of Health included the fire.
• Mr. Bonin said Somerset County, Conifer, the United Way and other volunteer agencies continue to work to help the residents affected by the fire. He said the Branchburg PTO had organized all the donations received over the past weekend and would begin distributing them to affected residents in the coming week.
• Mrs. Anna Columbus said she hoped the Red Rock Preserve could clean up the back of the building destroyed by the fire. She said she had visited the Fairfield Suites, where some of the fire’s victims were staying, and noted the food delivered and the volunteers sorting donations.
• Mayor Schworn said the Township would provide another information blast to residents when the Red Rock Preserve fire report is available.

Where it stands

• The Township’s figure is approximately 60–80 residents displaced (March 20 release).
• The March 27 update said arson had been ruled out and preliminary findings indicated an accidental fire, with details to follow once the investigation is complete. The Mayor said on April 13 that residents would be informed when the fire report is available.
• The Committee’s minutes from April 27 through October 12, 2026 record no further report on the fire, its investigation or the displaced residents.

What residents can do

• Read the record: the March 20 release and the March 27 update are on the Township website, and the Committee minutes are on its Agendas/Minutes page.
• Ask at a public meeting: Township Committee meetings (second and fourth Monday, 7:00 p.m., Municipal Building courtroom) are the forum to ask in public comment about the fire report and the Township’s response.