4-Alarm Fire Rips Through Palisades Park Mixed-Use Building in Freezing Temperatures
photos courtesy of the Fort Lee Fire Department
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
PALISADES PARK, NJ — In a display of extreme grit and bravery, North Jersey firefighters battled a massive four-alarm inferno early Sunday morning, February 8, 2026. The blaze tore through a prominent mixed-use building on Broad Avenue, forcing crews to work in life-threatening sub-zero temperatures.
The fire broke out at approximately 2:15 a.m. at 337 Broad Ave., a two-story brick structure that houses local favorite Totowah Plus, a Korean restaurant, with residential or office space on the upper floor.
Firefighting in Negative Wind Chills
The fire erupted during one of the coldest nights of the year, with ambient temperatures near zero and wind chills plummeting into the negative 20s. These conditions created a nightmare for first responders:
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Frozen Hydrants: Water from hoses instantly turned into ice, coating the streets, ladders, and firefighters’ gear in thick layers of glaze.
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Extended Battle: It took more than four hours for crews to bring the heavy flames under control.
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Mutual Aid: Because of the severity and the weather, fire departments from Bogota, Fort Lee, Little Ferry, and Ridgefield rushed to assist Palisades Park in the four-alarm response.
Mayor Praises “Heroes in the Cold”
Palisades Park Mayor Chong Paul Kim took to Facebook Sunday afternoon to commend the exhaustion and dedication of the responders who risked their lives in the arctic blast.
“They have been there all this time risking their lives under dangerous freezing weather,” Mayor Kim wrote. “All residents are safe, and two are stable and recovering at the hospital due to smoke inhalation.”
The Mayor also extended special thanks to the Borough Police and Public Works Department (DPW) for their tireless support in keeping the scene accessible during the emergency.
Casualties and Investigation
While the building suffered extensive damage, a tragedy was narrowly avoided.
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Injuries: Two individuals were transported to a local hospital. They are currently being treated for smoke inhalation and are reported to be in stable condition.
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The Cause: The Palisades Park Fire Prevention Bureau has launched a formal investigation. It remains unclear if the fire started in the kitchen of the Korean restaurant or within the building’s electrical system, though the extreme cold often puts added strain on heating units.
Local Traffic Alert: Broad Avenue Impact
Residents and commuters should expect localized delays near the 300 block of Broad Avenue throughout Monday as investigators remain on-site and DPW crews work to salt and sand the massive amount of ice left behind by the firefighting efforts.
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I feel so sad for Palisades Park. ICE has been relentless there, making life miserable for residents and shopkeepers and workers. Now this. Awful