Newark Firefighters Combat Fire At Abandoned School In South Ward

NEWARK, NJ — Arson units are investigating a fire that took place at an abandoned Newark school in the city’s South Ward on Monday night, authorities say.

Newark firefighters responded to a three-alarm blaze at 709 Bergen Street around 11:27 p.m., according to the Newark Public Safety Department.

The building formerly housed the now-defunct William H. Brown Jr. Academy, which closed in 2010, authorities said.

According to Newark authorities, firefighters forced their way into the building to combat the fire and to search the premises. Hours later, while a fire truck was at the scene, the fire reignited in the cockloft area and was elevated to three alarms.

Emergency responders treated a firefighter at the scene for a cut to the forehead, but the firefighter remained on-duty, authorities said.

The fire was deemed under control around 5:43 a.m., authorities stated.

The arson units of the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office and Newark Fire Division are investigating the exact cause of the fire. Anyone with information about this incident can call the Department's 24-hour Crime Stopper tip line at 1-877-NWK-TIPS (1-877-695-8477) or 1-877-NWK-GUNS (1-877-695-4867).

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