A massive warehouse fire in Belleville, New Jersey, has escalated into an 11-alarm blaze, prompting a state of emergency and widespread evacuations. The fire broke out early on May 4, 2026, at a mattress warehouse complex on Cortlandt Street and quickly spread to nearby buildings.
Firefighters from multiple communities are engaged in firefighting efforts, battling the flames that have consumed an entire block. Strong winds have complicated the situation, making it difficult to contain the blaze. Low water pressure has further hindered these efforts — a critical factor when dealing with such a large-scale fire.
Officials are particularly concerned about hazardous materials stored on site, including helium and oxygen tanks. This adds another layer of risk for both emergency services and local residents. As a result, multiple families have been evacuated from their homes due to safety concerns.
As Jonathan McCann, a local resident, described: “I was working out, and I look out the window at the gym. I saw smoke covering everything… it just kept growing.” Meanwhile, Jeff Oliver expressed his worries about returning home: “I have to leave my house because it’s going to be dangerous. They don’t have a lot of water for finishing this fire.”
The American Red Cross is providing assistance to those affected by the fire — currently aiding eight individuals who have lost their homes. Fortunately, no injuries have been reported as of the latest updates.
The situation remains critical, according to officials. Frank Velez emphasized the importance of safety: “Your health is first and we don’t want anybody to get caught in a place where they don’t need to be exposed to more smoke than we need to.”
As firefighting efforts continue, observers await further updates on the cause of the fire and any potential injuries. The cause is still under investigation, leaving many questions unanswered in this ongoing crisis.
