By: Richard L. Smith
Early Sunday morning, a fast-moving fire engulfed what appeared to be an abandoned building along the Passaic River in Newark, with no injuries reported.
Newark firefighters were called to 114 Riverside Avenue, just south of the NJ-21 north entrance from the service road, near the Arlington Reach portion of the river, at approximately 9:25 a.m.
Upon arrival, fire crews found the structure fully involved in flames.
Initially, fire boats were dispatched to assist in combating the blaze. Crews quickly located working hydrants and stretched lines to douse the fire effectively.
Due to the intensity of the flames, firefighters were forced to battle the fire from outside the building.
The blaze was brought under control in less than 30 minutes, thanks to the rapid response and coordination of the Newark Fire Department.
The cause of the fire is currently under investigation.
Residents from nearby Chester Avenue mentioned that squatters frequently used the building, and it is a known site for illegal activities and drug use.
The investigation into what started the fire is ongoing.