Illegal barrel fire found near ambulance depot

2/6/2026 02:17 PM

Fire & Arson

Union Blvd, Totowa, NJ 07512

Emergency crews checked reports of smoke near the highway and an ambulance depot off Union Boulevard. A caller had seen brief flames and smoke from a building while exiting the highway. Units searched the nearby buildings and initially found nothing showing. They then found smoke near the ambulance facility and discovered a mechanic burning wood in a barrel along the highway to stay warm. The burning was not permitted but the fire was small and under control. The mechanic was told to put the barrel fire out, police were requested, and fire units cleared the scene after confirming there was no building fire.