By: Richard L. Smith
Firefighters from multiple departments across Essex County battled a fast-moving, multi-alarm blaze that tore through a building in Belleville Sunday afternoon, prompting widespread emergency response and road closures.
According to preliminary information, crews were dispatched just before 2 p.m. to the 300 block of Cortlandt Street after receiving reports of a fire.
Upon arrival, firefighters encountered heavy flames ripping through a two-story brick factory warehouse building, quickly escalating the situation and prompting as many as nine alarms to bring in additional manpower.
Firefighters immediately initiated an aggressive defensive operation, working to contain the flames as they threatened nearby structures.
Mutual aid was requested from several surrounding municipalities, including Newark, North Caldwell, Nutley, and additional Essex County agencies.
As conditions intensified, Belleville Mayor Michael Melham urged residents to avoid the area while police shut down nearby streets to allow emergency crews to operate safely.
During the height of the incident, firefighters identified a second fire approximately two blocks away in the 200 block of Stephens Street.
Officials believe embers from the main blaze traveled through the air and ignited the secondary structure. Crews quickly responded and worked to bring that fire under control.
The Newark Fire Department deployed drones to assist in locating the seat of the fire and monitoring fire spread from above, enhancing situational awareness for crews on the ground.
As of 4:30 p.m., officials reported no serious injuries. The cause of the fire remains under active and ongoing investigation.