A fire apparently started by an explosion in an automotive shop consumed multiple businesses in Hillside on October 14^th.

Shortly before 7:00 PM, the first of several explosions occurred at an autobody shop at the corner of Conklin and Maple Avenues. A second alarm was sounded on arrival as well as requests for cover assignments. As flames broke through the roof a third alarm was transmitted at 7:05. With conditions deteriorating and exposure issues of a large 2 ½ story frame dwelling on the “D” side and a row of attached stores on Maple Ave. on the “B” side, a fourth alarm was called for at 7:09. Fire entered four of the stores and all operations went defensive. Ladder pipes from Hillside, Union, and Elizabeth, as well as Union Engine 3’s deck gun and numerous handlines worked to halt the spread of the flames. 

Firefighters were backed away from the front of the building due to instability. By 8:30, Union County MAC 1 reported four elevated streams, multiple Blitz-Fires and hand lines in operation.  The auto body shop was fully involved and the roof collapsed in. A supermarket with a full collapse, and four additional stores that were well involved. The collapse of the supermarket also ruptured a gas line. One firefighter was injured by debris in the collapse and was transported to UNDNJ with non life threatening injuries. Collapses continue to occur as the flames begin to darken down. Heavy smoke continued to cover the area. A sixth alarm was transmitted as companies were rotated and some released. Union County Haz-Mat monitored the air quality and found no serious issues. 

Fire units remained on the scene well into the next day. The auto body shop, the supermarket, and several other stores were destroyed and others damaged. Three homes were reported damaged leaving 32 residents displaced.