By: Richard L. Smith
A large emergency response unfolded Thursday night in Belleville after a gas-related incident triggered evacuations in a residential neighborhood.
Authorities say police and firefighters were initially dispatched to a home on the 300 block of Davidson Avenue for reports of smoke in the basement.
Upon arrival, crews detected elevated levels of gas and carbon monoxide, prompting immediate safety precautions.
Officials say the situation escalated after a ruptured boiler caused what was described as a basement explosion, leading to a localized evacuation of nearby homes.
According to Michael Melham, officials are also investigating reports of additional gas leaks in other parts of town, which has resulted in further precautionary evacuations.
No injuries were reported.
Emergency management teams, including Belleville OEM, responded to the scene, while the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection is deploying a specialized unit to assist.
Multiple agencies were on scene supporting the response, including departments from Belleville, Bloomfield, Nutley, West Orange, Montclair, and the Passaic Valley Sewerage Commission.
The Newark Fire Department provided coverage for Belleville firehouses during the incident, and the county mutual aid coordinator also responded.
Mayor Melham thanked all mutual aid partners for their assistance as the situation remains under active investigation.