Union City police were alerted to the fire at around 3:45 p.m. on Saturday, April 18, 2026, near the intersection of Bergen Turnpike and 38th Street, Hudson County Prosecutor Wayne Mello said in a statement. Arriving first responders found the buildings at 3808 through 3812 Bergen Turnpike actively burning.
Footage from the scene showed flames heavily consuming what appeared to be a residential structure along Bergen Turnpike, with dense black and yellow smoke visible from a distance. The fire was large enough to draw a substantial emergency response to the block.
- A 74-year-old woman was discovered dead at 3808 Bergen Turnpike while crews were still fighting the fire Saturday, April 18, 2026.
- Twenty-two residents were displaced; the American Red Cross stepped in to provide lodging, food, clothing, and urgent support to at least 18 of them.
- Three agencies, the Hudson County Regional Arson Task Force, North Hudson Regional Fire and Rescue, and Union City Police Department, are jointly investigating.
Neighbors Witnessed an Explosion and Rising Smoke
People living nearby described a sudden explosion followed immediately by waves of black and yellow smoke filling the street. One resident said the noise pulled them from their room before the smoke was even visible through the window, with thick black clouds rolling upward by the time they looked outside.
A second resident described seeing the explosion directly and watching the sky darken with smoke of two different colors within moments. Both accounts pointed to a fast-moving fire that caught the surrounding neighborhood off guard.
Roads Closed and Power Cut in the Surrounding Area
Bergen Turnpike and Grand Avenue were shut down to traffic while firefighters worked the scene. North Bergen Police confirmed that both roads were reopened once the situation was brought under control.
The fire also knocked out electricity in parts of North Bergen and Weehawken Township. PSE&G crews were deployed and working to restore power to customers affected by the outages in both communities.
Elderly Woman Found Dead Inside Burning Residence
While suppression work was still ongoing, firefighters discovered a deceased person inside the residence at 3808 Bergen Turnpike. Prosecutor Mello confirmed Sunday that the individual was tentatively identified as a 74-year-old woman, and no additional deaths or injuries were reported. No further details about the victim were immediately released.
22 Displaced; Red Cross Responds With Emergency Aid
A total of 22 residents were left without housing as a direct result of the fire, according to Prosecutor Mello. The American Red Cross responded and confirmed it was providing assistance to at least 18 individuals, covering temporary lodging, food, clothing, and other immediate needs.
Arson Probe Underway; Cause Still Unknown
Prosecutor Mello said the cause of the fire had not been determined and that the matter remains under active investigation. The Hudson County Regional Arson Task Force, North Hudson Regional Fire and Rescue, and the Union City Police Department are all involved in the probe.
No arrests or persons of interest were identified in Mello’s statement. Authorities said no further information was immediately available as the investigation continued.
