4-Alarm Fire Rages At Bloomfield Commercial Building (UPDATED)

BLOOMFIELD, NJ — Bloomfield firefighters fought a four-alarm fire at a commercial building at 55 Washington Street on Tuesday morning, authorities said.

Officials closed several surrounding streets due to the fire. There were no reported injuries, the Bloomfield Division of Public Safety stated at 10:30 a.m.

Fire departments from Newark, Montclair, Clifton, Belleville, Nutley, East Orange, West Orange, West Caldwell, Caldwell and Irvington responded to the scene to assist.

Closed streets included: Glenwood Avenue, Washington Street, Bloomfield Avenue, Liberty Street, Conger Street and Lackawanna Plaza.

A bystander, Bernadette Scolamiero, captured the below footage of the scene.

Bloomfield officials released additional details about the fire on Tuesday afternoon after it was put under control around 11 a.m.

"The fire did not spread beyond the building of origin, which is on the corner of Washington Street and Glenwood Avenue," officials stated. "The building is considered an unsafe structure now, and not safe for tenants to re-enter."

Mayor Michael Venezia said that "his heart goes out" to the business owners at this property, especially Roxy’s Florist, which is the owner of this landmark building, but also Heavenly Bites and Heavenly Flavors, Salvatore T. Alfano, PA, Fusella Counselors at Law, Kolby’s Place Barber Shop, Winfield Security as well as the Bloomfield Center Alliance.

"Fortunately no one was hurt and the fire was quickly put under control, thanks to the skill and professionalism of our fire department personnel and the assistance of our neighboring municipal fire departments," Venezia said. "This building and the great businesses operating there have been a huge part of our downtown community and I want to wish them all luck."

Fire Chief Louis Venezia offered the following statement:

"We still don’t know the origin of this fire, and are continuing to investigate, but thanks to great work from Bloomfield and top nearby fire departments lending assistance, the fire was contained without anyone sustaining injuries. I’d like to take this opportunity to remind everyone to observe fire safety protocols during the winter, not leaving heaters, ovens, and other potential fire hazards on and unwatched, as well as encourage residents to create an escape plan, indicating on the plan all doors, windows and other areas from which you could escape from each room in your home in the event of a fire."

The Bloomfield Fire Department said that personnel are available to help residents create escape plans as well as check smoke detectors and carbon monoxide alarms. Residents seeking assistance with any of these matters can call the fire department at 973-680-4153.

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