A fire at 347 Cortlandt Street in Belleville, New Jersey, swelled into a 6th-alarm response on Sunday after flames tore through a two-story brick commercial building and forced firefighters into defensive operations.
Crews reached the scene on Cortlandt Street between Holmes Street and Joralemon Street and found heavy fire engulfing the structure, with flames breaking through the roof. The initial call brought a 2nd-alarm assignment, and officials requested added help from nearby Newark units as the blaze worsened. The Bell and Siren Canteen Unit was also dispatched to support firefighters working the scene.
As the fire intensified, the incident was upgraded to a 3rd alarm and then to a 6th alarm. Multiple ladder trucks were deployed to attack the blaze from above, but ladder truck units were later evacuated as crews warned of an imminent structural collapse. Personnel were told to stay clear of a collapse zone around the building, and an air cascade truck was requested to replenish breathing apparatus for firefighters.
Councilman Frank Velez III said first responders were on scene at a large fire on Cortlandt Street between Holmes and Joralemon, with mutual aid from neighboring communities. He also urged residents to avoid the area and let emergency crews handle the response safely.
The fire was part of an active emergency operation in Belleville that strained local resources and raised concern over the building’s stability. Crews were also dealing with reported water supply issues, underscoring how difficult the fire had become to contain.
The immediate question now is whether firefighters can bring the blaze under control without a collapse, and the answer depends on whether crews can keep enough water on the fire while staying clear of the danger zone.
