Gas Station Fire in Millburn

Fire officials are still investigating a fire that destroyed the Exxon Gas Station at the corner of Millburn Avenue and Vauxhall Road in Millburn Thursday morning.

A gas station employee was injured in the blaze. The Millburn-Short Hills First Aid Squad took him to St. Barnabas Medical Center, where he was treated for a burned hand.

The fire broke out around 10 a.m. A column of smoke could be seen for several miles, including at the Millburn Fire Department. Firefighters said they saw the smoke from the fire as they left the firehouse.

An Exxon employee, who did not provide his name, said he heard people screaming "Fire! Fire" and within 15 minutes the entire building was up in flames.

The fire engulfed much of the building and caused a portion of the building to collapse.

Fire Marshal Tom Pizzano, captain of the Millburn Fire Department, said the cause of the fire has yet to be determined, but it is not suspicious in nature. He said it will take a few hours or days to determine the cause of the fire.

"We won't know until we can get in there and get what he need," he said.  "It's too dangerous to get in there right now."

Officials from the Essex County Prosecutor's Office also were at the scene investigating.

James Foerst, a Millburn attorney and a Westfield Town Councilman, was at the Millburn Mall behind the gas station when the fire broke out. He said he heard several small explosions and one medium explosion. Other residents also reported hearing explosions.

Pizzano said popping tires or exploding aerosol cans probably sounds probably caused the sounds. There may also have been a gas tank, but he said that has not been determined.

Mark Potter, battalion chief and the incident commander, said firefighters battled the fire on three sides of the building when they arrived. Nutley, Essex County and Union County hazmats were at the scene due to the nature of fire. Potter also said runoff from the fire in the east branch of the Rahway River. Pizzano said the environmental damage was minimal.

Both Pizzano and Potter said a portion of the building will need to be demolished today. An Exxon official was on scene working with fire officials. The vehicles parked adjacent to the building—six to eight—were damaged with mainly melted headlamps.

The Maplewood, Summit, Union and Irvington fire department provided mutual aid for the fire. The Millburn-Short Hills Chapter of the American Red Cross provided water and food to emergency workers and Millburn police provided support. PSE&G was at the scene disconnecting the gas line.

Workers in surrounding buildings were evacuated, including at Congregation B'nai Israel, which remained closed for the rest of the day.