Possible cause revealed in Belleville, NJ, warehouse fire

A massive weekend inferno that was apparently sparked by welding in a mattress factory has caused chaos in Belleville, North Jersey. The blaze, which reached “12- to 14-alarm” status, tore through a leafy commuter town, leaving destruction in its wake. The police department lost power, and schools were forced to shut down on Monday due to the extent of the fire.

Belleville Mayor Michael Melham described the scene as a “perfect storm” and likened it to staring into hell. The fire broke out in the town’s industrial section, specifically in a string of interconnected buildings on Joralemon and Cortlandt streets. It is suspected that the fire was caused by welding activities inside a mattress factory, a dangerous combination.

As a precaution, PSE&G, the area’s gas and electricity provider, cut power to the affected area, and water was also turned off at some residences. This action inadvertently led to the police department losing power, forcing them to rely on neighboring Nutley for dispatch services. Despite the chaos, there were no casualties reported, which the mayor deemed a miracle.

The fire spread rapidly, jumping from roof to roof and even causing damage to homes blocks away due to flying embers. The town’s large school district, with over 5,000 students, had to close on Monday as they lost fiber optics infrastructure from the heat. Road closures were also in effect, making it difficult for residents to navigate the area.

Over 40 to 50 departments responded to the fire, causing a strain on water pressure as they all tried to access water supplies to combat the blaze. A state of emergency was declared by the mayor, allowing the town to access additional resources from the county and state to aid in the firefighting efforts.

While the blaze is now under control, it remains active, with hopes of extinguishing it by Tuesday. Air-quality alerts were issued in nearby North Arlington due to the smoke, urging residents to stay indoors and close their windows. Lyndhurst officials also warned their residents of potential smoke issues.

The aftermath of the fire has left a significant impact on Belleville, with cleanup efforts and investigations ongoing to determine the cause of the inferno. The community has come together to support those affected by the disaster, showcasing resilience in the face of adversity.