Historic Singer Sewing Machine factory engulfed in four-alarm fire at New Jersey industrial park
In a dramatic turn of events on Friday, firefighters grappled with a four-alarm fire at a historic New Jersey industrial park, once the site of the inaugural Singer Sewing Machine factory in the United States.
City spokesperson Ruby Contreras revealed that the fire was reported by a passerby at approximately 5:30 a.m. in Elizabeth. Fortunately, no individuals were reported inside, and there were no injuries. However, a portion of the building had already succumbed to the flames.
Situated south of Newark Liberty International Airport, just across the strait from Staten Island in New York City, the extensive industrial structure emitted a massive plume of smoke visible from Manhattan. NJ.com’s historical account noted that in 1873, the Singer Sewing Machine Manufacturing Company acquired 32 acres at this location, establishing a factory that would produce iconic sewing machines for over a century. At its peak, it stood as the world’s largest workforce plant for a single establishment. Recent records indicate that the building changed hands for a significant $1 million in August.
Video footage from the scene depicted firefighters encircling the engulfed building, battling the formidable blaze. The cause of the fire remains under investigation, as officials work to unravel the circumstances surrounding this destructive incident at the historic industrial site.
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