Photo and story by Diane TilleyOwners Kathy Naglee said she was still at work with her mother, Dorothy Wilson, a family member and co-owner Rich Gilbert the blaze when began.
At approximately 4 p.m. a neighbor banged on their doors shouting the building was on fire. In actuality, the warehouse behind them – an auto works building – that was on fire and the smoke had begun to infiltrate into their business.
The owners dismantled their computers and carried what they could out of the structure before returning to empty and secure the company safe.
Kathy Naglee said, “It was absolutely amazing how the fire department contained this fire and prevented more damage (from occurring.)”
The owners were not allowed in their building but believe their storeroom was spared and the damage they suffered was smoke and flooding. Rich Gilbert said the company was only working four days a week, giving them three days before the start of the new work week to access the building, ascertain the damage and be ready for business as usual.
No one was injured in the fire. The only causality believed to be the auto shop owner’s dog. His cat was rescued by the Belleville firefighters and turned over to the ASPCA by the owner. Most of the Fire companies from the surrounding areas were released at around 8 p.m. but the fire scene was monitored through the night.
Plumes of smoke from the fire could be seen from the New Jersey Turnpike.
At approximately 4 p.m. a neighbor banged on their doors shouting the building was on fire. In actuality, the warehouse behind them – an auto works building – that was on fire and the smoke had begun to infiltrate into their business.
The owners dismantled their computers and carried what they could out of the structure before returning to empty and secure the company safe.
Kathy Naglee said, “It was absolutely amazing how the fire department contained this fire and prevented more damage (from occurring.)”
The owners were not allowed in their building but believe their storeroom was spared and the damage they suffered was smoke and flooding. Rich Gilbert said the company was only working four days a week, giving them three days before the start of the new work week to access the building, ascertain the damage and be ready for business as usual.
No one was injured in the fire. The only causality believed to be the auto shop owner’s dog. His cat was rescued by the Belleville firefighters and turned over to the ASPCA by the owner. Most of the Fire companies from the surrounding areas were released at around 8 p.m. but the fire scene was monitored through the night.
Plumes of smoke from the fire could be seen from the New Jersey Turnpike.
