A massive blaze at a New Jersey auto body shop on Tuesday night displaced multiple families and destroyed several other businesses.
The inferno started in Hillside around 6:30 p.m. and burned overnight, after gas tanks exploded inside the shop at the at the intersection of Maple and Conklin Avenues.
The flames and toxic smoke forced 32 people from nearby homes and destroyed businesses including a florist, beauty supply shop, pet store, bodega and barbershop. The businesses were all connected, causing the fire to spread faster.
“This is a harrowing sight,” Hillside mayor Dahlia Vertreese said in a video posted on Facebook. “If you are in the area of Maple Avenue, please stay away from the lower half toward Hillside Avenue. It is very, very smoky.”
The emergency response brought more than 100 firefighters from multiple departments to the scene.
The owner of the auto body shop and one firefighter were treated for minor injuries. Smoke from the fire was visible 4 miles away at Newark Liberty International Airport.
Hillside Fire Chief Rashawn Carey said the fire ruptured a gas line, making containment even more difficult. High winds also kept the flames burning for hours.
Carey said the main issue after dousing the flames was dissipating the toxic fumes. Officials encouraged anyone with respiratory or pulmonary issues to stay inside for the time being.
“Right now we’re trying to keep all the citizens back within, probably, like guidelines of smoke condition. The smoke itself is toxic, so we try to keep everyone back, and if it does proceed, we will have the air for testing,” Carey said.
The Red Cross is helping the people who were forced to leave their homes.
The extent of the damage hasn’t been determined. The cause of the fire is under investigation.
