Large Fire Devours Several East Orange Businesses, Firefighter Injured

EAST ORANGE, NJ — A large fire devoured several businesses and injured a firefighter in East Orange on Friday afternoon, authorities said.

According to a city spokesperson, the four-alarm blaze began around 12:26 p.m. at Sally’s B-S Hair Braiding, 225 Central Avenue. The fire quickly escalated and spread to three other businesses in that block.

A video taken at the scene showed smoke billowing from the building as firefighters stretched out hoses and attacked the flames.

All employees and customers exited the buildings without any reported injuries. An East Orange firefighter sustained minor injuries and is being treated at Clara Maass Medical Center in Belleville, authorities said.

As of 3 p.m. on Friday, Central Avenue was closed between Oraton Parkway and South Munn Avenue due to the fire.

Other fire departments that responded for mutual aid include Orange, South Essex (formerly known as South Orange), West Orange, Millburn, Cedar Grove, Bloomfield, Belleville and Nutley.

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