Fair Lawn fire destroys several businesses; owner describes feeling ’helpless’ as flames spread

VIDEO: A fire burned through a strip mall overnight in Fair Lawn, New Jersey, damaging several businesses. The flames broke out around 2:40 a.m. Friday on Fair Lawn Avenue near Chandler Drive. Firefighters had it under control by 6 a.m. Officials say the fire started inside the Green Dragon restaurant and spread through the complex, which houses a barbershop, bakery and several other restaurants. "Like one-by-one -- first, the barbershop, then, Roadhouse the restaurant, then Zadie's the bakery," one witness said on the scene. "It was kind of a progression of it getting worse and worse." The flames caused extensive damage, causing a portion of the roof to collapse. "The fire caused widespread damage to all the businesses located in the strip mall," the Fair Lawn Fire Department said in a statement.
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Hoboken Fire Department Is Hiring; Gets Grant For Firefighter Training And Safety

The Hoboken Fire Department was awarded more than $64,000 in funding through the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) 2023 Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program, announced the city of Hoboken and the Hoboken Department of Public Safety this week. The AFGP is meant to protect the health and safety of the public and firefighting personnel against fire and fire-related hazards. The Hoboken Fire Department will use the federal funds toward firefighter training, including academy tuition for new hires, and new equipment, including 12 sets of turnout gear. "I'm grateful for this federal support which will help our dedicated firefighters do their jobs even more safely and effectively,” said Mayor Ravi Bhalla.
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Union Fire Department Receives Grant from American Rescue Plan Firefighters Program

The Union Fire Department has been approved to receive a $75,000 award from the American Rescue Plan (ARP) Firefighters program. The state award, announced by Senator Joe Cryan on behalf of Governor Philip D. Murphy and the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs, will provide funds for a safer working environment for firefighters and greatly increase their ability to react to emergencies, ensuring the safety of the public and personnel, according to the notification letter from Department of Community Affairs. “The ARP Firefighter Grant will specifically enable us to invest in new turnout gear for our firefighters and a state-of-the-art extractor washing machine designed to effectively remove contaminants from gear,” said Union Fire Chief Greg Ricciardi.
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Millburn Fire Captain Robert Echavarria Introduces New Firefighter

During the recent Millburn Township Committee meeting, Fire Captain Robert Echavarria introduced the department’s newest firefighter. “On behalf of all the members of the Millburn Fire Department, I want to express my sincerest thank you to the township committee and the community. It is my great honor and pleasure to be able to introduce a candidate for appointment tonight as a probationary firefighter, Jonathan Feinberg.” Echavarria shared, “Jonathan was raised in New Providence and moved in with his father in Roxbury, New Jersey. He attended Roxbury High School, graduating in June 2010. After high school, Feinberg joined the United States Navy, where, according to Echacarria, Feinberg’s dedication and leadership skills were quickly recognized.
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