HILLSIDE, New Jersey (WABC) — Crews are working to put out a large fire that erupted at an auto body shop, and destroyed several businesses in Hillside, New Jersey on Tuesday.
The fire completely destroyed at least six businesses along Maple Avenue, between Winans and Conklin avenues, and left two firefighters with minor injuries, according to officials.
Hillside Mayor Dahlia Verteese told Eyewitness News that the fire started at an auto body shop.
Explosions echoed through the neighborhood as gas tanks in the auto body shop erupted in flames, and toxic smoke enveloped the block.
"And we heard the explosions, and at first I thought it was a car backfiring, but it kept going," Vertreese said.
Hillsdale Fire Chief Rashawn Carey said there were multiple flammable chemicals in the shop.
"It's a wide range of products burning and then you have the structure itself on top of that. There's a gas line that ruptured so it's a gas fed fire so it's multiple modalities going on right now to make it difficult," Carey said.
The inferno reached a sixth alarm as firefighters from surrounding communities struggled to contain it on a gusty night.
Officials say the main concern now is the amount of smoke and fumes in the air.
They are urging anyone with pulmonary issues to stay indoors both Tuesday night and Wednesday, as they predict the issue could bleed into the morning hours.
"Right now we're trying to keep all the citizens back within, probably, like guidelines of smoke condition. The smoke itself is toxic, so we try to keep everyone back, and if it does proceed, we will have the air for testing," Carey said.
A grocery store, a florist, a barber shop — the center of this community — are now gone, as neighbors watched in horror.
"I think the sticker shock for the community is that one of our main hubs is going to look completely different in the morning and then there's the displaced families," Vertreese said. "And that is definitely our priority."
At least 31 people have been displaced, and are being helped by the Red Cross.
"It's devastating. It's devastating. But I'm grateful everybody is safe. Material stuff can be replaced but your life can't," said witness Tayana Ceus.
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