Crime & Safety

Belleville Fire Department Battles Blaze at Residence

Fire believed to have broken out on second floor

No injuries were reported in a fire Tuesday at a multistory Belleville home, fire officials said.

Belleville firefighters responded to 149 Academy St. shortly after 11 am, where a fire is believed to have started on the second floor of the three-family residence. The stubborn blaze required “extensive overhaul” to put out, Deputy Chief George Pedalino said in a statement, adding that units from Bloomfield, Newark, Nutley and North Arlington also responded to the scene.

At around noon, smoke could still be seen emanating from the top side windows of the home, which is just a few houses down from St. Mary and Mercurius Church. The fire was brought under control by 12:20 pm, Pedalino also said.

John Tabacki, who lives next door, said a woman who lives in the home alerted him to the fire. 

“She rang my bell and said ‘fire.’ Then I saw smoke and flame,” Tabacki said. “Her dog came out, running all over the street barking.”


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

To request removal of your name from an arrest report, submit these required items to arrestreports@patch.com.