'Hot Bagels' Shop Was On Fire In Fair Lawn, But Worker Saved The Day, Officials Say

FAIR LAWN, NJ — A worker arriving to a Fair Lawn bagel shop early on Tuesday found more than just hot bagels when he saw smoke emanating from the location, fire officials said.

First responders were able to quickly extinguish the blaze at Hot Bagels, officials said.

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The worker arrived to open the store at 3:23 a.m., said the Fair Lawn Fire Department on Tuesday. He called 911 after seeing heavy smoke.

Assistant Fire Chief Marc Palmieri arrived at the location on Saddle River Road and saw the smoke as well.

He requested a "full first alarm assignment," drawing 35 firefighters from all four Fair Lawn fire companies, officials said.

The Fair Lawn Rescue Squad, the Fair Lawn Volunteer Ambulance Corp, Fair Lawn Office of Emergency Management, and the Fair Lawn Police Department also responded, officials said.

Palmieri said, "Our first arriving units found fire extending into the walls and ceiling. They opened the walls and were able to quickly extinguish the fire."

There was moderate damage to the business, Palmieri said.

Firefighters brought the blaze under control within about 10 minutes, officials said. They were able to leave the scene by 5 a.m.

There were no injuries to the worker or to the firefighters, Palmieri said.

"Thankfully, the worker arrived when [he] did and called us," Palmieri said. "Otherwise, if the alarm was delayed much longer, the results would have been much worse."

The Fair Lawn Fire Prevention Bureau is investigating, he said.

Calls to the business on Thursday afternoon went unanswered.