Fairfield (NJ) – On Saturday, April 20, 2024, at approximately 9:37 pm, the Fairfield Police Department received a 911 call reporting a smoke condition in the Pio Costa Industrial Complex, located at 1275 Bloomfield Avenue in Fairfield. It was reported to be located in building #9, which houses multiple businesses, including K9 Resorts Hotel, a full-time dog boarding facility.
Law enforcement officers from Fairfield, West Caldwell, North Caldwell, and Wayne responded to the scene and were initially able to successfully evacuate many of the dogs being housed in the facility until the smoke condition became unsafe. Upon the arrival of the Fairfield Fire Department, the remainder of the dogs were safely and successfully removed from the building. All 46 dogs that were being lodged in the facility were successfully evacuated. All the dogs are currently safe and were moved to a separate facility at this time and are being checked by veterinarian professionals out of an abundance of caution. A Fairfield police officer suffered smoke inhalation and was treated at the scene.
While the cause of the fire is currently under investigation by the Fairfield Fire Prevention Bureau, preliminary investigation indicates the heaviest fire damage was in the area of the MR Convenience and Smoke Shop. Several other businesses, including the Eatery Care Kitchen, Bella Art Tattoo, and the K9 Resorts Hotel experienced smoke damage.
The following fire departments assisted at the scene: West Caldwell, Pine Brook, Wayne, Lincoln Park, North Caldwell, Caldwell, Roseland, and Cedar Grove. In addition, the West Essex First Aid Squad also responded.
At the time of this press release, the Fairfield Police Department was working with the Associated Humane Society and representatives from the K9 Resorts to transport all of the dogs to another facility owned by K9 Resorts.
“The success of this evacuation effort is the direct result of the bravery and selflessness of responding law enforcement officers and firefighters who made sure that they continued to enter the facility until all dogs were safely removed. In addition, the quick response and actions of the Fairfield Fire Department and our mutual aid fire departments contained the fire before it could have been much worse” said Public Information Officer Stacy Chiarolanza.