By Matthew Enuco | NJ.com
nj.com
BELLEVILLE, N.J. — A massive nine-alarm warehouse fire in Essex County spread to several adjacent structures and even caused additional fires several blocks away, officials said.
“Due to strong winds, the fire has spread to multiple warehouses and has caused additional structure fires several blocks away,” Belleville mayor Michael Melham said in social media post.
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The fire on Cortlandt Street , near Joralemon Street , in Belleville began in a warehouse and several area fire departments responded to the scene, according to a post from Belleville Councilman Frank Vélez.
Melham, who said he has been on the scene for several hours, said he declared a state of emergency, according to his post. He has also been in contact with the local Office of Emergency Management team, he said.
Melham said he has been in contact with Gov. Mikie Sherrill’s office and county officials as well. A spokesperson for Sherrill’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
No injuries have been reported, according to Melham.
Melham posted video from the scene at 3:15 p.m. showing smoke billowing from the warehouse and admonishing the public to stay away from the area.
“Very large fire happening now in the valley section [on] Cortlandt St. ,” Melham wrote in the post.
He posted a second video from the scene showing fire trucks aiming streams of water through the warehouse’s windows and onto the roof.
A large plume of smoke could be seen rising from the roof as firefighters poured water on the building.
Daniel H. Pronti , mayor of North Arlington , issued an air quality alert suggesting residents keep their doors and windows closed as smoke from the fire blew across the area.
A spokesperson for the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The Lyndhurst Police Department also posted a notice on social media about black smoke from the fire being blown across the west side of town.
Nutley officials said the township’s water department would open up interconnected water pipes to increase water pressure in Belleville to assist fire suppression efforts.
Officials from Belleville police and fire departments did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
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