An explosion at a New Jersey auto body shop sparked a raging 5-alarm fire that destroyed several neighboring businesses in a “harrowing” scene Tuesday evening, according to authorities and reports.

“We had a wall collapse and apparently the entire shopping section of Maple Avenue from Conklin and Winans Avenue has been destroyed,” Hillside Mayor Dahlia Vertreese said in a video posted on her Facebook page as firefighters and first responders swarmed the area.

At least six or seven businesses, including a flower shop, grocery store, and the auto body shop, were burned in the fire sparked by the explosion around 6:30 p.m., the mayor said. 3

One home was severely damaged, Vetreese added.

“This is a harrowing sight,” she said.

“If you are in the area of Maple Avenue, please stay a

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