Fire in Belleville leaves residents homeless

Photos by James Wood, Sr.

Belleville Firefighter Scott Went Worth supplied the following information:

BELLEVILLE – Belleville firefighters battled a multiple alarm fire in the early morning hours of Sunday Aug. 9, which forced residents to flee from heavy flames that destroyed a local business, and required assistance from area departments to bring under control.
Emergency calls were received at 1:38 a.m. reporting a fire at a dry cleaning establishment near Franklin Avenue and Joralemon Street. Battalion No. 2 arrived on scene at 1:40 a.m. with Truck No, 1 and reported heavy fire fully engulfing the first floor of a two-story building. Firefighters had several immediate risks upon arrival; the fire was rapidly extending to the second floor, and there were seven apartment units to evacuate. Firefighter crews from Engine No.2 and No. 3 hooked into nearby hydrants and knocked down the flames using apparatus-mounted deck gun nozzles, keeping the fire from spreading to adjacent houses and a gas station. Simultaneously, crews from Truck No. 1 and EMS No. 1 conducted searches and helped residents escape from the flames coming out the windows. Hose lines were then stretched to advance into the first and second floors to extinguish the fire.
Battalion Chief Scott Langlands immediately struck a second alarm upon arrival, requesting Nutley and Bloomfield Fire Departments to the scene. The first floor of the building was a dry-cleaning business (Jim’s Place Dry Cleaning.) On first and second floors were seven occupied apartments. The fire spread quickly from the storefront, igniting a parked car outside, and up the stairwell into the second floor apartments. A third alarm was struck at 2:05 a.m., requesting Newark Fire Department for manpower at the scene. All residents were safely evacuated with the assistance of the Belleville Police Department, and the fire was knocked down within a half-hour of arrival. The fire was declared under control at approximately 2:36 a.m. and completely extinguished by 4 a.m. Firefighters remained on the scene overnight, and into the morning to conduct an investigation into the cause of the fire.
The fire was classified as a third alarm, with additional firefighters from Nutley, Bloomfield, and Newark FD’s to the scene to assist. Belleville initially responded with Engine No. 2, Engine No. 3, Truck No. 1, EMS #1, and a Battalion Chief, for a total of 11 firefighters. Additionally, Reserve Engine #1 was staffed with three firefighters and brought to the scene for relief.
While Belleville firefighters worked at the scene, additional companies from Montclair and Nutley covered the township, responding to a smoke condition call on Van Renssaeler Street, and a rubbish fire on Main Street. Additionally, North Arlington EMS ambulance answered two medical calls.
The fire heavily damaged the first and second floors in the front, and caused water and smoke damage in rest of the building. One firefighter was injured, and transported to the hospital with heat exhaustion. No civilians were injured.
The fire is currently under investigation by members of the Fire Investigation Bureau, and while no official cause has been determined at this time, preliminary reports indicate it appears to be accidental. The residents and business owners were displaced and the building was declared uninhabitable by the Building Department. Most of the residents were able to gather up some of their possessions before the owner secured the building.
For more information, please contact the Belleville Fire Department, 973-450-3368.

Christ Church hosts National Night Out

BELLEVILLE – Christ Church in Bellwville recently observed National Night Out, Tuesday, Aug. 4. Christ Church was visited from the local CERT program, the Town Council (members of) and the Belleville Police Community program. Among the evening's activities was a demonstration by students from Kingdom Karate here in Belleville.

Indepedence Day blast in Belleville

BELLEVILLE – Mayor Ray Kimble, Town Manager Victor Canning and Councilman Paul J. MacDonald inspect the Revolutionary War cannon which will fire a 21 gun salute July 4th at 10am in the historic Belleville Dutch Reform Church cemetery. The church and cemetery are National Historic Sites, 66 Revolutionary War Veterans are buried in the church yard.

Belleville kids donate to Clara Maass

BELLEVILLE SCHOOL NO.4 DONATES EASTER BASKETS TO CLARA MAASS PATIENTS

On behalf of Belleville School No.4 students, Jared and Nicolette Colandro donate goody-filled Easter Baskets for Clara Maass Medical Center patients. Each of the school’s classes—grades Pre to 6—participated in creating the generous donations.

Van goes into Second River, one body recovered

Photo by Laurence Schraiber of Kearny

BELLEVILLE -A van went over the Rt. 21 guardrail on the Belleville side of the Passaic River into Second River, behind the Cat and Dog Hospital in Kearny around 4 p.m. today, according to Kearny Deputy Chief Robert Osborn. He also said he saw a body being pulled from the vehicle but could not tell whether it was a man or woman.
"There was a lot of action. Everybody was there-Newark, Belleville and Nutley police, UMDNJ rescue unit and Newark ESU," he said.
The wreckage was halfway in the water of the Second River, which is near exit 6.
Traffic is still backed up northbound on Rt. 21. The road is inaccessible between exit 6 and 7, at this time.
More information will be posted as we get it.

Update on Belleville Fire

Photo and story by Diane Tilley

BELLEVILLE – The secondary building from the March 5 fire in Belleville was at 681 Main Street. Employees left the building at 3:15 p.m., according to official reports. It is a family business that makes binding for rugs, auto and marine products. The company, established in 1943 has been at this location for 35 years. The building suffered water and some smoke damage.

Owners 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.

Fire in Belleville

BELLEVILLE- A two-alarm fire in a Belleville in an auto repair shop in the industrail strip brought in 75 firefighters from six town including Newark, Kearny and Kearny were inside the burning buildin late yesterday afternoon around 5 p.m. There was some issues with a gas leak after the fire was out and the building collapsed.
Luckily no one was hurt. More news on it becomes available.

Bellville resident saves two during fire

Quick action by civilian saves two people at major house fire

Belleville firefighter and public information officer Scott Wentworth supplied the following information.
Belleville firefighters battled a tough fire driven by high winds in an occupied multi-family dwelling in the south end of the Township. The blaze threatened near-by houses. A civilian working in a rear yard was credited for his quick actions to alert the occupants, and bring them to safety.
A number of 9-1-1 calls were received at 1:22 p.m., Feb. 12 reporting a house fire with possible people inside. Battalion Chief #1 and Engine #2 arrived within two minutes and reported heavy smoke coming from the eaves of the building.
The fire engulfed a three-story wood-frame occupied dwelling in close proximity to a house of similar construction. Firefighters stretched a hose line and initiated a quick attack from Engine #2. Truck #1 and EMS #1 arrived on scene and began a primary search for any trapped occupants, and found that everyone escaped the building.
Engine #3 stretched additional hose lines to cover the first crew, and established a water supply from a nearby hydrant. The third floor was heavily charged with thick black smoke, and well involved in fire on the right side. Wind-whipped flames were extending outward, and threatening an adjoining house at 24 Van Rensselaer St. separated by a 4-foot alleyway. Firefighters had to breach walls on the third floor to extinguish the flames. The fire spread quickly due to gusting winds, upwards of 30 mph from the west, and the building construction had a concealed attic space that allowed the fire to spread rapidly.
The house at 24 Van Rensselaer suffered from exterior water and fire damage, and interior smoke damage. Due to the intensity of the fire, weather conditions, and the proximity to adjoining houses, Belleville Fire Department Incident Command called for additional alarms. Firefighters from the neighboring towns of Nutley, Bloomfield, Newark and North Arlington responded to the scene. Firefighters were rotated in crews to attack the blaze, and protect the exposure buildings from catching fire. At one point, the roof collapsed inward, and firefighters had to reposition their interior attack to avoid being trapped within the debris.
There were 11 Belleville firefighters on the initial call, responding with two engines, one ladder, one EMS unit and a Battalion Chief. The fire ultimately went to three alarms, and Essex County mutual aid was put into effect. Fire departments from the county covered the Belleville fire stations and the assisted with the extinguishment. A Rapid Intervention Team was called – a duty assigned to the Nutley Fire Department. Their sole purpose is to stand ready with special equipment to go in and rescue any firefighter or civilian found to be trapped inside the burning building at any point during the fire.
The fire was declared under control at 2:30 p.m. and completely extinguished by 4 p.m. BFD Fire Investigation Unit remained on scene until 12:30 a.m. to investigate the fire, and assist residents to retrieve any belongings they could salvage. Off-duty firefighters were recalled and responded with Engine #1 for fire-watch duties, checking for hot spots within the building.
The blaze completely burned through the third (top) floor, and heavily damaged sections of the second floor. The first and second floor apartments had water and smoke damage. Fire officials identified the three-story structure as having three apartment units, one on each floor. A total of five adults and one child from three separate families were displaced as a result of the fire; some were relocated with the assistance of Red Cross disaster teams.
The official cause of the fire has yet to be determined, but appears to be accidental. The Belleville Building Department was requested to the scene to evaluate the damage, and the house was declared uninhabitable.
There were no reported injuries to firefighters or residents, and two cats were removed from one apartment after the fire, and turned over to their owners for care.
Fire Officials are crediting a civilian who was doing work at 24 Van Rensselaer St. with saving the lives of two occupants. He saw smoke and fire coming from the roof and knew the third floor tenant was home. He called 9-1-1, and then ran into the house. Reaching the third floor, he forced open the door, and found a 75-year-old man in his apartment that was unaware of the fire. He assisted the man downstairs, stopped at the second floor, also kicking in that door. A tenant on the second floor was asleep, and he too was alerted and all three escaped as smoke filled the house.

Belleville Veterans Council parade

BELLEVILLE – The Belleville Veterans Council will be holding its annual Veterans Day Parade on Sunday, Nov. 9, starting at 2 p.m. at Union Avenue and Mill Street. The parade will then continue up Union Avevue, and pass the reviewing stand and end at the Veterans Memorial.
As you know Veterans Day gives Americans the opportunity to celebrate the bravery and sacrifice of all U.S. veterans who have served and sacrificed for our Countries freedom, especially those who have given the ultimate sacrifice in defense of our nation.
U.S. Congressman Bill Pascrell Jr. D-8th District will be the Parade Grand Marshall. Other dignitaries will be there as well.
All Belleville Residents as well as surrounding areas are invited to attend.
The Parade Committee is also looking for Civic Groups such as Boy Scouts, Brownies and Girl Scouts in addition to School Children from the Township School System to march. And antique Vehicle owners to ride. Come out and have a good time and support American Veterans. Remember Freedom isn’t Free.
Participants will line up at Union Ave. and Mill Street at 1 p.m. with kick off at 2 p.m.

Toscano's plead not guilty

NEWARK – Peter Toscano and his father Gerald pleaded not guilty Wednesday to charges before Superior Court Judge Peter Vazquez in the Newark courthouse. The younger Toscano’s (he’s the one charged with murdering his cousin, Jordan Voorhees) lawyer is Newark Attorney Robert DeGroot.
Toscano had been AWOL from the U.S. Navy. He was charged with the murder and transporting the body in a Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck to a dense, treacherous spot in the Kearny Meadowlands. His father was charged with conspiring in the cover up. (See previous blog entry on Oct. 23)

Belleville police fatality in Nutley

NUTLEY - Officer Kenneth Santucci, 33, was killed in an automobile accident on Saturday Sept. 6 at 7:30 a.m. when the patrol car he was driving was struck by another vehicle. The accident occurred at the intersection of Union Avenue and King Street in Nutley when a 51-year-old Bloomfield woman ran a stop sign, according to police reports.

A second officer in the police unit, Melissa Corrado, 28, was seriously injured when both officers were ejected from their cruiser during the crash, reports said.
Santucci was taken to Clara Maas Hospital in Belleville where he succumbed to his injuries. His partner was taken to University Hospital in Newark with severe head injuries. Officer Santucci is survived by his expectant wife and two children. He had served with the Belleville Police Department for eight months and served with the Newark Police Department for two years previously.