Crews battle wind-driven blaze at Long Branch home beside Springsteen's 'Born to Run' cottage
The fire broke out on West End Court next to the landmark Bruce Springsteen "Born to Run" house.
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Crews are working to extinguish an early-morning fire that tore through a home on West End Court in Long Branch, displacing at least five people.
Multiple mutual aid crews from nearby municipalities responded to the scene around 3:30 a.m. Upon arrival, units found heavy fire and smoke throughout the building. Windy conditions, with gusts over 25 miles per hour, continue to be an issue as firefighters work to control the flames.
Detours were in place in the immediate area as fire departments worked to bring the blaze under control.
There is no information yet on what started the fire. Multiple first aid crews were called to the area. Officials at the scene told News 12 that all of the occupants made it out of the house. There is no word yet on any injuries.
A spokesperson for the Red Cross told New 12 their team has assisted three residents of the home with emergency financial assistance to obtain temporary lodging, food, clothing and other immediate needs. They also have Disaster Health, Disaster Mental Health and Spiritual Care Services available. In addition, the Red Cross is planning to assist two additional residents who were not at the scene.
The location is next door to a well-known local landmark—the Bruce Springsteen "Born to Run" house, located at 7 ½ West End Court. This private cottage is where the rock icon claims to have written every song on the Born to Run album while living there from 1974 to 1975. Fire officials say the landmark was not damaged. The family that currently occupies that house said they were home when the nearby fire broke out. They initially thought a large branch had fallen, but then noticed the fire.
