Hillside, N.J. auto shop fire destroys several businesses, prompts warning for residents
An explosion in Hillside, New Jersey, sparked a six-alarm fire that spread to multiple businesses Tuesday.
The main body of the fire is finally out Wednesday morning, but firefighters are still urging everyone to remain indoors because of air quality concerns. They say the smoke remains toxic from the large amount of tires and chemicals that burned.
"Our firefighters have been working all night long, for the last 10 to 12 hours, trying to just hit the hotspots and stop this from further causing any more damage. It's already damaging to our township," Hillside Office of Emergency Management Coordinator Mary Dawkins said on the scene Wednesday morning.
Video from Chopper 2 shows Hillside fire scene
According to Hillside Mayor Dahlia Vertreese, there was a large explosion inside an autobody shop at the corner of Maple and Conklin avenues just after 7 p.m.
"When I walked to the corner, the fire was rising up, and they poured water on it to let it go down, then we heard the explosion," witness Tanya Cues said.
Vertreese said the fire spread down the block to Winans Avenue, damaging six businesses. Three homes were also damaged, and about 32 residents have been displaced.
"It started in the automotive shop, so you got multiple chemicals in there," Hillside Fire Chief Rashawn Carey said. "The smoke itself is toxic, so we're trying to keep everyone back, and if it does proceed, we will have to monitor the air for testing."
A hair salon was among the businesses that caught fire, and the flames spread to chemicals inside the building, the mayor said.
Fire is one of the worst in Hillside in almost 20 years, mayor says
Vertreese called it the second-worst fire in Hillside in almost two decades.
The fire chief said the flames were so difficult to fight because of the multiple flammable chemicals in the autobody shop. He also said a gas line ruptured, providing addition fuel.
No one was seriously hurt, but a firefighter and an employee of the auto body shop were treated for injuries.
The Red Cross says volunteers are on scene to help the dozens of displaced residents.
