Jeff Goldman – nj.com
A fire ripped through a strip mall in Fair Lawn early Friday damaging several businesses, though no injuries were reported, officials said.
The fire broke out shortly before 2:30 a.m. in the back of the Green Dragon restaurant on Fair Lawn Avenue, the Fair Lawn Fire Department said.
“The fire caused widespread damage to all the businesses located in the strip mall,” Assistant Fire Chief Ralph Rinaldo said. “It’s obviously devastating to lose these small businesses as people lose their livelihoods.”
Firefighters first went into the building to battle the flames and smoke, but were forced to retreat.
“We initially sent in an engine crew through the rear of the building to try to get a handle on it,” Rinaldo said. “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.”
The roof collapsed a short time later.
Among the other businesses affected were Zadies Kosher Bake Shop, which said it will be closed for the foreseeable future. Other businesses in the strip mall include Fair Lawn Road House, Flynn’s Barber Shop, Dream on Lash Salon and Regency Cleaners.
The owners of Zadies Kosher Bake Shop told ABC7ny.com that four generations of handwritten recipes were inside the shop.
About 50 firefighters from Fair Lawn and other neighboring departments worked to extinguish the fire. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
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Jeff Goldman may be reached at jeff_goldman@njadvancemedia.com.
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