Hangar roof catches fire

Saturday, December 16, 2006

The Progress
 

FAIRFIELD TWP. – An airplane hangar fire alarm alerted police at about 3:54 a.m. on Friday, Dec. 8 to the Essex County Airport on Passaic Avenue, police said.

Upon arrival, officers discovered the old wooden hangar filled with heavy smoke and flames coming from the roof of the building, said Deputy Chief James High.

The Fire Department responded and requested mutual aid from North Caldwell, West Caldwell and Verona. Passaic Avenue at Greenbrook Road was closed for about one hour due to smoke and embers landing in the roadway. North Caldwell and West Caldwell police departments assisted, police said.

The West Essex First Aid Squad and EMS 7 responded to the fire and Fire Inspector William Smith investigated the incident. It is speculated that a faulty heating unit on the ceiling of the hangar caused the fire, High said.

The Essex County Prosecutor’s Office Arson Squad, along with Fairfield Detective Sgt. Louis Cammarata also responded. There was only one injury at the scene when one of the Essex County arson investigators slipped on ice. There were no injuries caused by the fire, said police.

Firefighters left the scene at 8:37 a.m., said High.

The hangar sustained extensive damage and the Building Department has been notified to follow up on the status of the hangar, police said.