A massive fire at a New Jersey auto body shop Tuesday evening displaced several families and destroyed several other businesses.
The inferno started in Hillside around 6:30 p.m. and burned through the night, after gas tanks exploded inside the store at the intersection of Maple and Conklin avenues.
Flames and toxic smoke forced 32 people from nearby homes and destroyed businesses, including a florist, beauty supply store, pet store, bodega and hair salon. The businesses were all connected, which accelerated the spread of the fire.
“It’s a heartbreaking sight,” Hillside Mayor Dahlia Vertreese said in a video posted to Facebook. “If you are in the Maple Avenue area, please stay away from the lower half towards Hillside Avenue. It is very, very smoky.”
The emergency response mobilized more than 100 firefighters from several departments to the scene.
The owner of the auto body shop and a firefighter suffered 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. Strong winds also kept the flames burning for hours.
Carey said the main problem after putting out the flames was dissipating the toxic fumes. Authorities encouraged anyone with respiratory or lung problems to stay indoors for the time being.
“Right now, we’re trying to keep all citizens indoors, probably, guidelines regarding smoke conditions. The smoke itself is toxic, so we’re trying to keep everyone away, and if this continues, we’ll have air for testing,” Carey said.
The Red Cross helps people forced to leave their homes.
The extent of the damage has not been determined. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
