Crime & Safety
'Consider Keeping Windows Closed' In Hoboken Due To Fire, Says Ambulance Head
Two fires affected at least 5 businesses on busy Bergenline Avenue in West New York and Union City, and smoke could be seen miles away.
WEST NEW YORK, NJ — As two fires burned along a busy business corridor in Union City and West New York, N.J., the head of Hoboken's ambulance squad told residents to "consider keeping windows closed" if they were in the path of the smoke.
However, the smoke from the blazes, five miles north of Hoboken, could be better seen and smelled in New York City on Wednesday morning.
The Arson Task Force of the Hudson County Prosecutor's Office is probing the five-alarm fire that destroyed at least five businesses in West New York, they said.
Find out what's happening in Hobokenwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Late in the morning, Hoboken officials said they were assisting with the fire:
Smoke from fires in West New York and Union City can be seen and smelled in Hoboken. If you are in the path of smoke, consider keeping windows closed and remaining indoors. @hobokenoem @Hoboken_EMS @HobokenFire https://t.co/OIZVa69Thg
— Hoboken Volunteer Ambulance Corps (@Hoboken_EMS) February 8, 2023
families affected by these fire as well as all of our Bravest who are fighting these fires and working to save and protect lives. @Local1078 @CityofHoboken @bgrilletti78 @thewhirleybird
— Chief Ken Ferrante, Ret. (@KenFerrante) February 8, 2023
The fire forced buses to use alternate routes, including NJ Transit buses heading through Hudson County north to the George Washington Bridge:
Find out what's happening in Hobokenwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Bus route 181 will operate on detour in West New York on Bergenline Ave due to fire department activity. Buses will use 76th St, JFK Blvd, 49th St, and Bergenline Ave.
— North Jersey Buses (@NJTRANSIT_NBUS) February 8, 2023
The larger fire was centered in the area of Bergenline Avenue and 61st Street, the Prosecutor's Office said.
Sitting outside on Hoboken's Washington Street on Wednesday morning, former bakery owner Cosmo Sancilio said he smelled the smoke but was unaware of the fire. "Is it a big one?" he asked.
Several other residents who had started to smell smoke also said they were unaware of the blaze. But across the Hudson River, residents of the Upper West Side reported smelling smoke after 6 a.m. on Wednesday morning. READ MORE: Massive NJ Fire Appears To Leave The Upper West Side Smelling Of Smoke
According to News12NJ, the fire displaced 15 families.
A fire official told the news channel there were no injuries.
Some residents asked if the two fires were connected, especially in light of rapid development going on in the county.
Patch Editor Caren Lissner contributed reporting to this story.
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