Hundreds of Monmouth County firefighters raced from their trucks and fought to keep broken hoses under control in Colts Neck on Saturday. Fortunately, there was no blaze to douse and no injuries to attend to, save for a few bruised egos. Volunteers from 16 area firehouses competed at the 2011 Monmouth County Firefighters Competition at Colts Neck Fire Company #1 on Route 537.

Events included a hose and ladder competition, in which firefighters raced to spool out their hose and knock down a pop-up flame, and busted hose competition, in which participants tried to control a hose with several holes punched into it.

Shrewsbury Hose Co. No. 1 took first place in the competition; Robertsville Volunteer Fire Company, of Marlboro, came in second; and Englishtown Fire Department took third place.

Other firehouses competing Saturday included: East Freehold Fire Company; Freehold Township Independent Fire Co. #1; Fair Haven Fire Department; Holmdel Fire Department; Ramtown Fire Co., of Howell; Jamesburg Fire Department; West Long Branch Fire Department; Freehold Borough Fire Department; Colts Neck Fire Department; Adelphia Fire Company, of Howell; Morganville Independent Fire Company, of Marlboro; and Marlboro Fire Company.