Fire destroys 3 big trucks in Downtown lot

Friday, April 03, 2009
By TOM SHORTELL
JOURNAL STAFF WRITER

A tractor trailer and two 40-foot moving vans were destroyed in a fire early yesterday morning as flames shot more than 30 feet into the air, Jersey City fire officials said.

The 1:20 a.m. blaze, in the Eagle Van Lines parking lot at 18th and Grove streets, took 90 minutes to contain but no one was injured, Fire Director Armando Roman said.

While three vehicles were lost, firefighters were able to save seven other tractor trailers that were lined up in front of the inferno, Roman said.

"It could have very easily extended to the other trucks, and I commend Battalion Chief Donald Windrem and his men," Roman said.

The gates to the property were padlocked, so firefighters had to cut their way in, said Roman, who added that the department's Arson Unit is investigating.

Calls to the management of Eagle Van Lines were not returned.