6 Businesses Totally Destroyed In Dover Fire: Prosecutor

DOVER, NJ — Six businesses are totally destroyed and 80 people are without homes following the devastating fire in Dover Monday night, Morris County Prosecutor Fredric M. Knapp said on Wednesday.

Buildings along West Blackwell and North Warren Streets were leveled by the flames, which broke out around 3:30 p.m. on Monday. It took crews nearly six hours to get the fire under control, and they worked overnight into Tuesday to continue putting it out.

The fire started in the basement of Barry’s Luncheonette, which was destroyed. The cause remains under investigation, but the severity was due to a natural gas line that was feeding the flames.

“New Jersey Natural Gas was contacted by local police at 4:55pm and dispatched crews immediately to the structure fire, which arrived on site at 5:08pm. Valves were turned off, curtailing service to approximately 80 of our customers at the site and surrounding area. NJNG crews have been on the scene throughout the day to work with local officials and to coordinate our service restoration efforts," Kevin Roberts, a spokesperson for NJ Natural Gas, said.

One police officer sustained minor injuries; other than that, there were no reported injuries, Knapp said. In total, 52 agencies responded to the fire.

As of Tuesday night, firefighters continued to address the remaining hot spots, Dover officials said.

The Red Cross and the Salvation Army are helping those displaced by the fire, town officials said. The Red Cross is accepting $25 gift cards to local stores, like Target and Sears, and the Salvation Army is accepting clothing. Updates on donations are being shared on the town's Facebook page.

The destroyed businesses are:

• El Paraisa Restaurant / two overhead apartments – 19 West Blackwell Street
• La Notaria (notary public) – 17.5 West Blackwell Street
• La Bamba Grill Mexican Restaurant – 17 West Blackwell Street
• Four overhead apartments – 9 North Warren Street
• Taqueria Brenda Lee Restaurant – 7 North Warren Street
• Jocelyn Beauty Salon – 5 North Warren Street
• Barry’s Luncheonette / four overhead apartments – 3 North Warren Street

The damaged businesses are:

• Morris Thrift Store – 11 North Warren Street
• Piñatas Las Flores (party supply store) – 21 West Blackwell Street
• Dover Discount Store & six overhead apartments – 23 West Blackwell Street

Officials have pledged to support all of the affected residents in the coming months.

"The Mayor and representatives from the Town administration met with all the business owners affected by the fire today. The Town is committed to helping them through the insurance process and help in any way to recover," officials said.

Images via Laurie Marelli, used with permission