Four-Alarm Fire Destroys Hawthorne Tire Center

On the morning of September 1, a longtime Hawthorne business was destroyed by a four-alarm fire that took nearly five hours to bring under control.

At 7:23 a.m., companies were dispatched to the Hawthorne Tire Center at 136 Goffle Road for a reported fire. Heavy smoke was pushing from the one-story, two-bay tire shop and attached office, which sat below a 1½-story frame dwelling fronting North 8th Street at the rear of the property.

A second alarm was transmitted as crews attempted to advance into the tire shop while other firefighters searched the apartments above. The interior attack on the tire shop was withdrawn after a flashover was reported. Additional alarms were transmitted as companies switched to defensive operations.

Flames quickly spread throughout the structure, while burning tires produced heavy black smoke and a large column visible from the surrounding area. Companies vented the roof of the dwelling, and heavy fire soon broke through. Elevated master streams from Hawthorne, North Haledon, Prospect Park, and Paterson were placed into operation, along with Multi-Versals and handlines.

Companies worked until after noon to fully extinguish the fire. Firefighters removed numerous tires from the building and dragged them to the sidewalk to prevent them from igniting.

The building was considered a total loss, with most of the roof burned away and extensive fire damage throughout the interior. Five firefighters suffered minor injuries and were later released. As many as 10 residents were reported displaced by the fire. One cat perished.

The cause of the fire was not immediately determined.