A home on Cortland Street has been destroyed by a fire that began Monday around 7 a.m. Throughout the morning, dark smoke poured out of what is left of the roof after it collapsed. The collapse sent flames shooting into the air. The owner of the home did not want to speak on camera, but said he was at work when the fire began. He lives alone, so the house was empty when this fire started.
Meantime, fire crews have been working all morning to put out the fire. Small flames kept popping up on the second floor. Firefighters say that it is a gas-fed fire, which is making it difficult for firefighters to get under control. The fire grew to two alarms at its strongest. Crews from Newark arrived at the scene to help Belleville firefighters.
For anyone traveling in the area, Cortland Street is still shut down between William and Schuyler streets as crews continue to work.