46 Dogs Rescued From Fire At Business Complex In Essex County

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — Firefighters and police rescued dozens of dogs from a boarding kennel after a fire ripped through a business complex in Essex County last weekend, authorities said.

A police officer suffered smoke inhalation while responding to the blaze, which took place around 9:30 p.m. on Saturday at the Pio Costa Industrial Complex at 1275 Bloomfield Avenue in Fairfield, public safety officials said.

The complex houses several businesses, including K9 Resorts Hotel, a full-time dog boarding facility. The heaviest damage was seen near MR Convenience and Smoke Shop. Other businesses that took damage in the fire included the Eatery Care Kitchen and Bella Art Tattoo, the Fairfield Police Department said.

When police from Fairfield, West Caldwell, North Caldwell and Wayne first arrived at the scene, they evacuated many of the dogs that were present at the kennel. But before they could get the rest of the dogs out, the smoke levels became unsafe, authorities said.

Soon, Fairfield firefighters arrived and evacuated the rest of the dogs – 46 in total – all of which are safe. They are being checked by veterinarian professionals out of an abundance of caution, authorities said.

Other fire departments that assisted at the scene included West Caldwell, Pine Brook, Wayne, Lincoln Park, North Caldwell, Caldwell, Roseland and Cedar Grove. In addition, the West Essex First Aid Squad also responded, and the Essex Fells and Verona fire departments provided house coverage during the event.

Fairfield police said they were working with the Associated Humane Society and representatives from the K9 Resorts to transport all of the dogs to another facility owned by the business.

The cause of the fire is currently being investigated by the Fairfield Fire Prevention Bureau, officials said.

“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,” a spokesperson for the Fairfield Police Department said.

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