Cause of Exxon Fire Undetermined, But Not Suspicious

Update: The owner of a 1996 Bentley that was being serviced at the time of the fire relates the story of how the fire started.

Fire officials are still investigating a fire that destroyed the Exxon Gas Station at the corner of Millburn Avenue and Vauxhall Road Thursday morning.

One person was injured from the blaze, an employee at the gas station. He was taken by the Millburn-Short Hills First Aid Squad to St. Barnabas Medical Center for a burned hand.

The fire broke out around 10 a.m., and a column of smoke could be seen for several miles, including at the Millburn Fire Department. Firefighters said they saw the smoke from the fire as they left the firehouse.

An Exxon employee, who did not provide his name, said he heard people screaming "Fire! Fire" and within 15 minutes the entire building was up in flames.

The fire engulfed much of the building and caused a portion of the building to collapse. The fire was listed as under control at 11:30 a.m., but firefighters were still battling hot spots. A portion of the road had been reopened, but eastbound traffic was still being detoured from the area on Millburn Avenue as of 1 p.m.

Fire Marshal Tom Pizzano, captain of the Millburn Fire Department, said the cause of the fire has yet to be determined, but it is not suspicious in nature. He said it will take as a few hours or a few days to determine the cause of the fire, which he said started in the garage area.

"We won't know until we can get in there and get what we need," he said.  "It's too dangerous to get in there right now."

Officials from the Essex County Prosecutor's Office also were at the scene investigating.

Locals had said they heard there were explosions. James Foest, an attorney in Millburn and a Westfield Town Councilman, was at the Millburn Mall behind the gas station when the fire broke out. He said he heard several small explosions and one medium explosion.

Pizzano said they were probably hearing tires popping or aerosol cans exploding. There may also have been a gas tank, but he said that has not been determined.

Mark Potter, battalion chief and the incident commander, said firefighters battled the fire on three sides of the building when they arrived. Nutley, Essex County and Union County hazmets were at the scene due to the nature of fire. Potter also reported some runoff from the fire in the east branch of the Rahway River. Pizzano said the environmental damage was minimal.

Both Pizzano and Potter said a portion of the building will need to be demolished today. An Exxon official was on scene working with fire officials. The vehicles parked adjacent to the building—six to eight—were damaged with mainly melted headlamps.

The Maplewood, Summit, Union and Irvington fire department provided mutual aid for the fire. The Millburn-Short Hills Chapter of the American Red Cross  was also on scene providing water and food to emergency workers. Millburn police also were providing support. PSE&G was at the scene disconnecting the gas line.

Workers in surrounding buildings were evacuated, including at Congregation B'nai Israel, which remained closed for the rest of the day.