Belleville, N.J.  A quiet afternoon is this township was rocked by a massive fire that spread to numerous structures, destroying property, local businesses and displacing residents.

Around 2:30 p.m., May 3^rd, local firefighters were dispatched to a reported fire on Cortland Street, in this densely populated area. They found a fire in  a large-block long commercial building.  A ladder pipe was ordered and a recall of off duty members. Initial mutual aid units reported to the scene from Bloomfield, Nutley and Newark.  

The original fire building was described as a mattress warehouse, which is part of the closely connected buildings. Firefighters were hampered by wind gusts of 35-40 mph, according to reports.  The fire extended into a cardboard warehouse.  Additional alarms were transmitted as well as a call for air supply trucks and  a request for air monitoring. The thick black smoke rose into the sunny sky and was visible for many miles.  At the rear of the complex, along railroad tracks, firefighters found heavy fire, with many trees hampering their operations.  

Flames in the front of the main building began to vent out of windows and through the roof, causing a radiant heat problem. Master streams were set up, including aerial ladder devices, but were later relocated and a collapse zone was established. More and more fire companies were called to the scene.

Residents in homes across the street were evacuated as home sidings began to melt.  There was also a serious ember condition.  Firefighters used hand lines to wet down the dwellings. Around 4 p.m., a fire erupted in an occupied two-story wood-frame duplex a block away on Stephens Street.  Mutual aid companies pulled up to go to work and make sure the residents were evacuated.  The initial companies that pulled up here were Newark Engine 13, Montclair Engine 2 and Kearny Tower 2. Additional companies followed in to the scene.

Fire consumed the upper floor and attic. Conditions worsened and an evacuation was ordered as flames took control of the roof, with low banking smoke as well.  

Back at the original fire, more fire companies converged on the area and more master streams were set up. Tower ladders from South Essex and Moonachie set up in a lot along side of the buildings, as fire was visible through windows, along with pushing smoke. Later, these two rigs were moved out of the lot to reposition as flamed vented out of all windows and through the roof.  

Master streams surrounded the burning complex for hours, putting a stress on water mains.  As the sun began to set over Belleville, numerous mutual aid water tenders were called to the scene.  A tanker task force was set up blocks away from the scene, setting up water pools in the middle of an urban area. Large diameter hose (LDH) was stretched, shutting down more area streets. There was also a pumper drafting in operation.

The water shuttle lasted over night.  Mutual aid fire companies began to either be relieved or send fresh manpower to their apparatus to operated over night, in the dark streets. Mutual aid fire companies reported to the scene from at least six counties.

Public Service shot off power for about 700 buildings, including township hall and police headquarters.  The Red Cross was assisting residents who could not return to their homes due to the smoke condition and the power shut down for safety reasons.  

In the evening, Mayor Michael Melham declared his town in a state of emergency.  This will allow the mayor and the town council to seek monetary aid from the county, state and federal government.

Mayor Melham added that  the fire may have been caused by “some welding happening inside of a mattress factory.” The fire investigation was underway.  The mayor stressed that the fire occurred on Sunday relieving the structures of many occupants.  Another occupancy effected was a well known, local boxing club.  In addition, it was reported that one firefighter suffered a non-life-threatening injury during the long duration fire.

Schools were closed on the following Monday and Tuesday as well as some businesses. 

Heavy equipment had been moved in to knock the buildings down. Numerous local and mutual aid fire companies remained on the scene to wet down deep seated fire during this operation.  

The media has described this conflagration as anywhere from 12 to 14 alarms. Whatever the alarm, all first responders including fire, police, EMS, OEM and others performed professionally.  In addition, at least five different, volunteer, non-profit, canteen organizations were on had to provide rehab with bottles of water and food.