By: Richard L. Smith
The powerful line of storms that swept across New Jersey Friday evening left a trail of damage in communities throughout the state, and the Bloomfield-Nutley border was among the areas hit hard by the severe weather.
Emergency crews responded to Darling Avenue shortly after 8 p.m. after live utility wires were brought down by the storm.
According to emergency radio transmissions, firefighters arrived to find energized wires on the ground that had caught fire, prompting an immediate request for PSE&G to respond and secure the hazardous scene.
The dangerous conditions forced authorities to close portions of the roadway while firefighters established a safety perimeter to protect nearby residents and motorists.
The incident was one of several storm-related emergencies reported in the Bloomfield and Nutley area, where strong winds toppled trees, brought down utility lines, and caused scattered power outages as the fast-moving storm crossed northern New Jersey.
The Bloomfield-Nutley border joined dozens of communities across the Garden State that experienced storm damage Friday night, as first responders worked into the evening clearing roadways, restoring access, and assisting utility crews with hazardous conditions left behind by the powerful weather system.
Motorists were urged to avoid areas with downed wires and never assume fallen utility lines are safe to approach.
Utility crews continued working overnight to restore power and repair damaged infrastructure.