Schools in Belleville Remain Shut After Massive Warehouse Blaze Forces Ongoing Safety Measures
Public schools in Belleville, New Jersey will stay closed for a third consecutive day as authorities continue dealing with the aftermath of a large warehouse fire that has left parts of the town unsafe and disrupted daily life for residents.
The decision comes as emergency crews continue working on the site of a massive blaze that destroyed a warehouse and spread to nearby structures, including residential properties and local businesses. Officials say the situation is still not stable enough to allow students and staff to safely return.
Belleville Public Schools Superintendent Erick Alfonso confirmed that the district is closely coordinating with local authorities to determine when reopening will be possible. However, he noted that several ongoing conditions linked to the fire are making it difficult to set a clear timeline for reopening schools. No specific details were shared about these conditions, but safety concerns remain the top priority for officials.
The fire first broke out on Sunday afternoon inside a mattress warehouse located in the 300 block of Cortland Street. According to officials, the blaze quickly escalated into a major 12-alarm emergency, drawing firefighters from multiple areas. Video footage shared from the scene showed flames rapidly spreading inside the building as workers attempted to control the fire using extinguishers before evacuating.
As the fire intensified, it spread beyond the original warehouse to neighboring structures, including a facility storing cardboard materials and the Legacy Boxing Club, a well-known community gym that offered training for both competitive athletes and local residents. The destruction of these facilities has added to the impact on the community, leaving several local programs temporarily displaced.
Thick smoke from the fire was visible across a wide region and reportedly reached areas as far as Manhattan, highlighting the scale of the incident. While no civilian injuries have been reported, officials confirmed that at least one firefighter was injured during response efforts, while several others were treated for smoke inhalation and exhaustion.
Mayor Michael Melham stated that emergency teams are still working at the site, including efforts to demolish unstable parts of the damaged warehouse. He also confirmed that around 50 residents from nearby homes were evacuated and are currently staying at a local recreation center after gas and water services were shut off in the affected area for safety reasons.
The American Red Cross in New Jersey, in coordination with township officials, has set up a temporary shelter at the Belleville Friendly House to support displaced families who are unable to return home due to unsafe air conditions and utility disruptions. Some local businesses have also remained closed as a result of the ongoing situation.
Authorities continue to monitor the site as cleanup and demolition efforts proceed. Officials have not yet provided a timeline for when utilities will be restored or when residents and students can fully return to normal routines.
For now, the community remains focused on recovery and safety as investigators and emergency crews work to stabilize the area following one of the most significant fire incidents the township has seen in recent years.
Sources:
Belleville Public Schools official statement
Belleville Township Mayor’s Office
New Jersey Red Cross
CBS News reporting
NJ.com reporting
