LYNDHURST – On Wednesday March 12 at 3:08 p.m. Lyndhurst police department patrol units responded to the Quality Inn Motel on a report of smoke coming from the roof.Upon their arrival, there was heavy smoke coming from the roof on the southeast side of the building. Officers went into the motel to be sure that everyone was evacuated.
The Lyndhurst Fire Department put out the fire within minutes, police reports said.
The fire fighters were assisted by the Rutherford and North Arlington fire departments. The Nutley fire department also assisted by standing-by at the Lyndhurst fire house.
There weren’t any patrons staying in the affected section of the building at the time of the fire. No one was injured and no property was destroyed.
The second floor sustained smoke and water damage.
Fire damage was contained to an air-conditioning unit on the rooftop.
The motel was undergoing a roof repair when the blaze started. Workers were using a torch near an air-conditioning unit and it appears that the fire was accidental. It was a result of the repair work being conducted, according to police reports.
The State Fire Marshals Office was called in to investigate. Their presence at the scene was required since the structure is a mixed-use (hotel and restaurant) structure.
The Quality Inn will be closed until workers can repair the damaged area and the fire alarm system. The alarm system was disabled as a result of the fire, officials said.
