Dangerous warehouse fire consumes entire block in Belleville, New Jersey; families evacuated

BELLEVILLE, New Jersey (WABC) -- A massive fire was still raging on Sunday night after it broke out in a New Jersey warehouse around 3 p.m. and spread rapidly, reaching 11 alarms.

Strong winds pushed the flames from the warehouse off Cortlandt Street in Belleville to multiple nearby buildings, forcing families from their homes. Thick black smoke filled the sky and was visible for miles.

Belleville Mayor Michael Melham declared a State of Emergency.

"I had to leave my house because it's going to be dangerous," said Jeff Oliver.

The industrial building houses a mattress warehouse as well as a textile manufacturing business.

Neighbors heard explosions.

"I heard some pops and I saw the smoke and I received many calls from throughout the area and like many Belleville residents I went to see, and it's truly horrific," said Belleville Township Councilman Frank Velez.

The fire sent chunks of debris, ash and sparks into the sky as a gusty wind fanned the flames.

"And then it just started growing and growing -- it just kept growing," said Jonathan McCann.

The entire block seemed to melt and collapse -- fueled by industrial materials inside.

"Chemicals such as helium have been mentioned and that could contribute to the fire and the blaze and how extreme it's been," said Velez.

Officials are urging people not to breathe anything in, if they can avoid it. Some residents have been evacuated from their homes and many more are being told to close their windows and stay inside.

"Your health is first and we don't want anybody to get caught in a place where they don't need to be and exposed to more smoke than we need to," Velez added.

Officials are also telling residents if they have an emergency or even a non-emergency that needs the police, to call the fire department and it will be re-routed. It sounds counterintuitive, but the reason is that PSE&G has to shot off power to the area and that has affected Town Hall.

The fire could be seen for miles and firefighters from communities from miles away are working in Belleville to help get the flames under control.

There are no reports of any injuries.