Fair Lawn Avenue Strip Mall Destroyed in Overnight Fire

FAIR LAWN, NJ - A two-alarm overnight fire destroyed six businesses in a Fair Lawn Avenue strip mall, according to Douglas Sadowski, Public Information Officer of the Fair Lawn Fire Department. Extensive overhaul operations are continuing this Friday morning.

There were no injuries to building occupants or to firefighters, Sadowski said. Approximately 50 firefighters responded to the scene.

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"The Fair Lawn Fire Department was dispatched to a report of a structure fire with flames coming from the rear of the Green Dragon Restaurant located on the 19 block of Fair Lawn Ave at 2:27 a.m.," Sadowski said in a press release.

The fast-moving fire affected Green Dragon, Flynn's Barbershop, Fair Lawn Road House, Mashu Sushi, Dream on Lash, and Zadie's Kosher Bakery.

Shana Cohen, a local realtor and Fair Lawn Main Street Inc trustee, said the business community is set on providing assistance and resources to help the businesses recover.

"It is with heavy hearts that we share the news of the devastating fire that destroyed several beloved local businesses on Fair Lawn Ave last night," Cohen said. "The Fair Lawn Main Street organization stands with the affected business owners and employees during this difficult time. Fair Lawn Main Street, along with town officials, is committed to providing immediate assistance and resources to help these businesses recover. The resilience and strength of our community will guide us through this tragedy."

Fair Lawn Mayor and a member of the Board of Directors for Main Street Inc, Gail Rottenstrich said, “I was devastated to learn about the fire this morning that has severely damaged some of our most treasured local businesses, including Green Dragon, Flynn's Barbershop, Fair Lawn Road House (formerly Petak's), Mashu Sushi, Dream on Lash, and Zadie's Kosher Bakery. The Fair Lawn Borough and the entire community are ready to support the businesses in any way necessary.”

"Our community has always shown incredible unity and support in times of need," Cohen said. "We will stand together and offer our support to these treasured local businesses. Together, we will overcome this challenge and emerge stronger."

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When firefighters arrived, "heavy smoke and fire was found coming from the rear of the building," Sadowski said. "Fair Lawn Assistant Fire Chief Ralph Rinaldo quickly transmitted a working fire assignment and also called for a second alarm for additional coverage in Fair Lawn."

“We initially sent in an engine crew through the rear of the building to try to get a handle on it. Unfortunately, the fire quickly spread, compromising the roof. In the interest of safety, we opted to fight the fire from the exterior using aerial ladders,” Rinaldo said. “There was heavy air-handling equipment on the roof of the building. The roof collapsed shortly thereafter."

"Thankfully by that point everyone was out of the building,” Rinaldo said. “In addition, the fire got into the common cockloft of the building and spread horizontally to the other businesses in the complex.”

“The fire caused widespread damage to all the businesses located in the strip mall. It’s obviously devastating to lose these small businesses as people lose their livelihoods,” Rinaldo said.

In addition to the Fair Lawn Fire Department, the following emergency units responded: Fair Lawn Police, Fair Lawn Rescue Squad, Fair Lawn Office of Emergency Management and the Fair Lawn Volunteer Ambulance Corp. Mutual aid was provided by the Saddle Brook Fire Department, Elmwood Park Fire Department, Paterson Fire Department, Hawthorne Fire Department, Wyckoff Fire Department, and the Paramus Fire Department.

The Fair Lawn Fire Prevention Bureau is investigating.

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