A seven-alarm Jersey City brush fire at 1 Caven Point Road has suspended light rail service in parts of the city and neighboring Bayonne.
By John Heinis/Hudson County View
“Due to a fire in Jersey City, HBLR service is being suspended. 2:55pm @CityofBayonne,” the Bayonne Office of Emergency Management tweeted.
Police radio transmissions indicated that the fire broke out at Reliable Paper Recycling at 1 Caven Point Road at about 2:40 p.m., requiring “extensive mutual aid.”
About a half hour ago, the fire had spread to the rail tracks near the Liberty Science Center, the transmissions also said, with the fire reaching a rarely seen seven alarms a few minutes later.
City officials could not immediately be reached for comment, but resident Karin Vanoppen tweeted that light rail riders were dropped off at Liberty State Park and were informed that was the last stop, with deep clouds of black smoke visible in the background.
“Please be advised: There is a fire impacting the Turnpike area at Garfield and Bayview ave.,” the City of Jersey City tweeted at 4:30 p.m.
“Motorists diverted and urged to avoid NJ TPK area at Garfield and Bayview aves (Caven Point) due to 6-alarm brush/factory fire. Air quality is being monitored.”
