A large scrapyard fire erupted Tuesday in Paterson, New Jersey, sending heavy smoke into the air and drawing a significant firefighting response to the city’s Bunker Hill section.
The two-alarm fire broke out at a scrapyard on Wait Street, where multiple vehicles were reported burning. Firefighters quickly moved to contain the flames, while reports from people nearby described hearing a powerful explosion around the time the blaze developed.
The fire was later extinguished, and no injuries were reported by fire officials.
What Happened in the Paterson Scrapyard Fire?
Firefighters were dispatched to 110 Wait St. in Paterson’s Bunker Hill neighborhood after reports of a substantial fire at the scrapyard.
According to the Paterson Fire Department, responding crews encountered heavy flames involving multiple vehicles inside the yard. The initial fire was reported to be confined to the exterior of the scrapyard, with no reported extension into surrounding structures.
The incident was significant enough to receive a second-alarm response, bringing additional firefighting resources to the scene.
The blaze generated thick smoke that could be seen from surrounding areas as crews worked to bring the fire under control.
Explosion Reported Near the Fire
One of the most notable details surrounding the incident was a report of a loud explosion.
A man who works across the street from the scrapyard told News 12 that the sound was powerful enough to blow out windows in his building. He also offered a possible explanation involving a propane tank that he believed had been inside a refrigerator and was subsequently moved into the scrap pile.
That account has not been established as an official finding, however.
Fire officials have not publicly confirmed that a propane tank caused an explosion or that the reported blast was responsible for starting the fire. The cause remains subject to investigation.
Firefighters Bring Blaze Under Control
Crews worked to prevent the flames from spreading beyond the scrapyard.
Paterson Deputy Fire Chief Jason Macones said multiple vehicles were burning when firefighters arrived. Officials initially reported no extension to nearby structures.
Paterson Mayor Andre Sayegh later said the fire was extinguished in approximately 20 minutes.
By Tuesday afternoon, the active fire had been put out and cleanup operations were underway at the scrapyard.
Paterson Fire Incident Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Location | 110 Wait St., Paterson, New Jersey |
| Neighborhood | Bunker Hill |
| Incident | Scrapyard fire |
| Alarm level | Two-alarm |
| Property affected | Scrap yard |
| Vehicles involved | Multiple vehicles reported burning |
| Explosion | Reported by a nearby worker |
| Injuries | None reported |
| Structures damaged | No reported extension initially |
| Fire status | Extinguished |
| Cause | Under investigation |
No Injuries Reported
Despite the intensity of the fire and reports of a loud explosion, fire officials said no injuries were reported.
The absence of reported injuries provided some relief as firefighters dealt with the dangerous conditions inside the scrapyard.
Scrap facilities can contain large quantities of vehicles, metal materials, fuel residues and other potentially hazardous items, making fires in these locations challenging for emergency crews.
What Caused the Paterson Fire?
The official cause of Tuesday’s fire has not been established.
The reported explosion has attracted attention because of witness accounts describing a loud blast shortly before or during the fire. However, a witness’s explanation should not be treated as an official determination.
Investigators will need to establish what happened inside the scrapyard and whether the reported explosion played any role in the fire.
At this stage, there is no confirmed official finding that a propane tank caused the blaze.
Cleanup Begins After Bunker Hill Fire
Once firefighters extinguished the flames, crews began dealing with the aftermath at the scrapyard.
The incident left multiple vehicles damaged by fire and prompted a substantial emergency response in the Bunker Hill area.
Residents and people working near the scrapyard were also confronted with heavy smoke during the incident, while videos and images of the fire circulated online.
Paterson Fire Today: What We Know
The confirmed information currently available points to a scrapyard fire involving multiple vehicles at 110 Wait Street.
The fire was handled as a two-alarm incident, but officials reported no injuries and said there was initially no indication that the flames had spread to surrounding structures. The active blaze was extinguished, with cleanup continuing afterward.
The reported explosion remains an important part of witness accounts but has not been independently established as the cause of the fire.
Latest Update on the Paterson NJ Fire
The scrapyard fire in Paterson’s Bunker Hill section has been extinguished, and cleanup is underway.
No injuries have been reported, while officials continue to examine the circumstances surrounding the blaze. A nearby worker reported hearing a powerful explosion, but authorities have not publicly confirmed the cause of that blast or determined whether it triggered the fire.
Further information may become available as officials complete their investigation.
Disclaimer
This article is based on preliminary information from fire officials and current local reporting. The reported explosion and any possible explanation for it have not been presented as an official cause of the fire. Details may change as authorities release additional findings.