Multi-Agency Response Battles Massive 4-Alarm Fire at Hawthorne Auto Shop and Apartments
photos courtesy of The Hawthorne Fire Department
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
HAWTHORNE, NJ — A massive four-alarm structure fire tore through a commercial auto body shop and residential apartments at 136 Goffle Road on Tuesday morning, September 1, 2026, triggering an extensive multi-county mutual aid response.
The Hawthorne Fire Department was dispatched to the Hawthorne Tire Center at 7:23 AM following reports of a possible fire. Hawthorne Fire Chief 50 arrived on scene to find a working fire in a 2.5-story building featuring ground-floor commercial space with residential apartments above.
Firefighters Pushed Back by Heavy Smoke and Flames
Arriving crews were met with thick black smoke pouring from the auto body shop. Firefighters from Squad 3, Engine 4, and Truck 2 initiated an interior attack but were quickly pushed back by intense heat and rapidly deteriorating fire conditions.
Simultaneously, crews from Engine 1 and Rescue 5 conducted primary searches of the upstairs apartments to ensure all residents were safely evacuated.
As the fire spread rapidly through the building, commanders transmitted multiple additional alarms, bringing in specialized apparatus and personnel from across Passaic and Bergen counties. Firefighters battled the blaze for nearly five hours, bringing it under control and fully extinguishing it shortly after 12:00 PM. Crews also spent significant time containing and cleaning up automotive fluids that spilled into the surrounding street.
Regional Mutual Aid Supports Hawthorne Operations
Over a dozen neighboring municipalities provided critical assistance on scene and offered coverage for the borough throughout the morning:
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On-Scene Assistance: Glen Rock, North Haledon, Fair Lawn, Haledon, Prospect Park, Ridgewood (Engine 35, B Platoon), Paterson, Wyckoff, Midland Park, Paramus, and Hackensack.
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Borough Coverage: Clifton, Franklin Lakes, Wayne, and Waldwick.
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Emergency & Support Services: Hawthorne Police Department, Hawthorne EMS, Ladies Auxiliary, Passaic County Sheriff’s Hazmat & EMS, County Rehab Canteen, and Passaic/Bergen County Fire Coordinators.
No major injuries were immediately reported, and all responding members returned safely to their respective jurisdictions.
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Tags: #HawthorneNJ #PassaicCounty #FireDepartment #EmergencyResponse #GoffleRoad #BergenCounty #MutualAid #LocalNews
