A six-alarm fire tore through Maple Avenue in Hillside on Tuesday, Oct. 14, authorities said.

An explosion at an auto body shop started the massive blaze, Mayor Dahlia Vertreese said live at the scene.

During the fire, a wall collapsed and the shopping section of Maple Avenue between Conklin Avenue and Winans Avenue has been destroyed, Vertreese said.

"It's a harrowing site," Vertreese said.

Vertreese said this was the second worst fire in the township in 18 years, praising first responders.

"This is gonna cost a lot of money to clean up, it's going to take a lot of energy and most of all prayers and patience from our community," Vertreese said.

Hillside is a community built on resilience and compassion. Together, we will recover, rebuild, and rise stronger than ever.

According to C

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