PLAINFIELD, N.J.-- A fifth-alarm fire raged through a large mattress warehouse in Plainfield, N.J., this morning, and came dangerously close to spreading to a firehouse next door.
Newscopter Seven was live over the scene.
Eyewitness News has learned the fire broke out in the sprawling structure at 305 Central Avenue just before 8:30 a.m. It quickly spread through the entire building, home to a large mattress ware house and Arteferro Llc., an iron works design and manufacturing firm.
No injuries were immediately reported.
Officials say numerous mattresses were destroyed. But an adjacent metal manufacturing firm appears to be saved from smoke and water damage.
The blazing warehouse was located next to a Plainfield firehouse. Firefighters battled the blaze from the street and from the roof of the firehouse, but that didn't make it any easier.
Cecil Allen, Fire Chief Plainfield, NJ: "Normally we don't fight fires that close to our fire station or this close to our personnel."
The extreme heat shattered windows and caused minor damage to the firehouse. But the chief says the firehouse is still useable.
One resident across the street from the scene explains what she saw.
Resident: "I looked outside and I saw flames. It scared me."
Copyright 2006 by WABC-TV.
Republished with permission of WABC-TV.
