On March 14, 2003 at 5:04 pm a release of propane at the Able Energy facility on Diller Avenue in Newton resulted in an explosion, causing extensive damage and the evacuation of over 1,000 town residents for almost a week. The fire at the Able Energy site was the largest fire in Sussex County history, with a 6 day response and over 35 fire departments from across northern New Jersey.

Some of the departments that assisted us fighting the fire include Hampton Township Fire, Branchville Fire, Frankford Fire, Andover Township Fire, Stillwater Fire, Sparta Fire, Fredon Fire, Lafayette Fire, Andover Boro Fire, Sussex Fire, Hardyston Fire, Hopatcong Fire, Picatinny Arsenal Fire, Harmony Twsp Fire, North Caldwell Fire, Montague Fire, Knowlton Fire, Sandyston Fire, Mount Arlington Fire, Essex Fells Fire, Cedar Ridge Fire, Cedar Knolls Fire, Byram Fire, Vernon Fire, Green Twsp Fire, Ogdensburg Fire, Denville Fire, Parsippany Dist. #5 Fire, Beemerville Fire, Highland Lakes Fire, Pochuck Valley Fire, Franklin Fire, Jefferson Fire, NJ Forest Fire, Chester Fire, the Warren County Tanker Task Force, and the Sussex County Fire Marshal's Office.

Many EMS agencies responded as well, including the Newton First Aid Squad, Lakeland Squad, Stillwater Squad, 95 Rescue, Sparta EMS, Franklin EMS, the Blue Ridge Rescue Squad, Wantage EMS, Med Alert, Jefferson EMS, Blairstown EMS, Hackettstown EMS, Mine Hill EMS, Hardyston EMS, Knowlton EMS, Hopatcong EMS, Chester EMS, Sussex EMS, Vernon EMS, Summit EMS and White House, NJ Rehab Unit #22.

Other agencies that responded include the Newton Police Department, Andover PD, Sparta PD, the New Jersey State Police, the Sussex County Sheriff's Department, the Newton Office of Emergency Management (OEM), the Sussex County OEM, Branchville OEM, Warren County OEM, Sussex OEM, the Newton Road Department and Water Department, the Sussex County DPW, Decker's Fire Equipment, and the Town of Newton Code Enforcement office.

Many area businesses donated food and supplies. Some of them include Anthony & Sons Bakery, Acme Markets, Sam's Club of Mt. Olive, Quick Check, G & S Deli, Weis Markets of Newton, Manna House, Newton Presbyterian Church, Newton WalMart, Corner Cafe, A&B Bagel, Condit's Truck Center for emergency truck repairs, and Tri Counry Audio for communications equipment when we needed it the most.

Last but not least, all firefighters wish to thank the Newton Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary, the Hampton Fire Department Auxiliary, the Frankford Fire Ladies Auxiliary, the Salvation Army and the Red Cross. As in all emergencies, there are unsung heros "behind the scenes" that supply the front lines, and the auxiliaries and the Red Cross did a wonderful job keeping us firefighers "fueled up" with food, coffee, water, etc. during this very long period.

The Newton Fire Department wishes to thank everyone who helped with the Able Energy disaster. We've attempted to make the above list as complete as possible, however if we've missed your agency please contact us and we'd be happy to add you.