Huge blaze in Rutherford business district spreads

YOU READ IT HERE FIRST: A fire has spread through several connected businesses near Rutherford’s Restaurant Row, collapsing the roof of one building. Several companies have been on the scene since just after the blaze broke out on the corner where Ames and Park avenues meet.

Photo Credit: *Cliffview Pilot File Photo*

Jerry DeMarco

01/05/2013 9:20 p.m.

UPDATE: Flames blew through several connected businesses near Rutherford’s Restaurant Row tonight as firefighters worked furiously to contain the quickly spreading fire. READ MORE….

At one point, three aerial ladders were concentrating water on the top of the adjoining structures. Just before 10:30, the roof collapsed.

No immediate injuries were reported in the widespreading fire, which has claimed Ames Barber Shop and the former Verizon store — now Tempo Boutique and Beauty Bar — as well as a florist shop, among other business across from the Bank of New York.

Rutherford commercial fire (CLIFFVIEW PILOT photos)

“It’s about six or seven businesses right now,” Rutherford Mayor Joe DeSalvo told CLIFFVIEW PILOT around 9:15 tonight..

Several Park Avenue establishments have been evacuated, he added.

DeSalvo couldn’t say whether the fire might spread further.

“There’s always that fear when you’re working an active fire,” the mayor told CLIFFVIEW PILOT. “We’re keeping our fingers crossed.”

Concern was mounting, though.

“If the whole block goes, so goes Leprechan News, which rebuilt after the original building collapsed on the same site in 1998,” a reader from Lyndhurst said.

“Water is gathering and freezing by the train station,” another wrote.

“Smoke is pouring into East Rutherford across the tracks,” yet another reader wrote. “A lot of smoke. The fire company has ladders going up to second-floor windows.”

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