Hillsdale ShopRite Fire

By Cecilia Levine From Daily Voice

A fire in the bakery area of the Hillsdale ShopRite was knocked down early Saturday morning, Nov. 15, after the store’s sprinkler system kept the flames from spreading, fire officials said.

The Hillsdale Fire Department said the 911 call came in at 1:37 a.m. from an employee reporting a fire in the bakery section of the store, according to a news release from the department. A Battalion 7 Box Alarm was sent, bringing in crews from River Vale, Westwood, and Woodcliff Lake, along with a Hillsdale ambulance.

Hillsdale Car 2 arrived moments later and confirmed a fire inside the store that was being held in check by the sprinkler system.

Firefighters from Hillsdale Engine 1 established their own water supply and stretched a 2.5-inch hose line into the building. Crews quickly knocked down the fire and confirmed there was no extension. The flames were contained to the contents and the hood system, the department said.

Mutual aid units helped with what firefighters described as a lengthy ventilation process due to the size of the store. Chief Farrell held command.

The Hillsdale Fire Marshal is investigating the cause, which is believed to be not suspicious. The county board of health also responded.

Crews were on scene for approximately 75 minutes.

As of 11:30 a.m., the supermarket was fully operational.