Belleville Businesses Evacuated When Utility Pole Catches Fire

BELLEVILLE, NJ — Quick action from Belleville firefighters may have helped to prevent serious damage to several local businesses on Thursday when a utility pole caught fire, downed power lines and caused disruptions along Joralemon Street.

According to the Belleville Fire Department, the “unusual and dangerous incident” took place around 12:30 p.m. Firefighters received multiple 911 calls reporting smoke wafting from a utility pole in front of 530 Joralemon Street.

A pair of off-duty firefighters also noticed the problem and called fire headquarters to dispatch a company to check conditions, the BFD stated.

Within two minutes, a Belleville fire truck arrived on the scene, and crews saw that high voltage power wires were smoldering inside the conduit attached to the utility pole. Firefighters then cordoned off the area, and as conditions worsened, began to evacuate nearby businesses and shut down the roadway, the BFD stated.

At that time, arcing wires began to throw sparks across the sidewalk, and the wooden pole quickly erupted into flames. Firefighters called in backup and soon, a “full response” of two additional engine companies and the battalion chief arrived at the scene, authorities said.

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As firefighters set up precautionary hose lines to protect Good Health Pharmacy and Rosebud’s Luncheonette, crews shut down and evacuated the Delta gas station and Belleville Lumber Company. At the same time - as burning wires fell into the roadway - the Belleville Police Department blocked off Joralemon Street in both directions.

The nearby School # 7 was not affected, but authorities issued an alert to have all children picked up from the Division Avenue side as a precaution, the BFD stated.

While firefighters hustled to protect the local businesses, the BFD incident commander on scene issued an urgent request for PSE&G workers to respond due to the hazardous condition.

After PSE&G workers arrived in 30 minutes and shut down power to the area, fire crews extinguished the flames burning up the utility poles before they could spread to the buildings or overhead wires. Firefighters also stretched additional hoses to protect the structures and gas station, authorities said.

No civilians or firefighters suffered injuries as a result of the fire, authorities stated.

Power was restored to the grid, allowing nearby businesses to remain open. However, the nearby telephone, power and cable lines suffered “extensive damage,” and the pharmacy and luncheonette remained closed while PSE&G representatives evaluated the damage from the fire. In addition, several nearby residents and businesses were left without telephone service, internet access and cable TV, authorities said.

“Contractors will be working to restore services to those customers affected,” the BFD stated Thursday evening.

The cause of the fire undermined at this time; PSE&G technicians are conducting an investigation. However, “hot weather and high electric demand may have been a contributing factor” to the fire, the BFD stated.

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Photos: Belleville Fire Department