After failed negotiations between Clifton?s Fire Engine Company Number 2 and Passaic County officials, the fire company closed its doors Saturday due to a budget shortfall.

According to officials, Passaic County is facing a budget gap of about $8 million. Clifton has recently laid off more than 50 municipal workers. In an effort to salvage the fire company and firefighters? jobs, fire officials offered a giveback of more than $600,000 to Clifton, which required each firefighter to give up two paychecks to keep Engine No. 2 open and firefighters employed. After the negotiations failed Friday night, 16 firefighters were laid off and the station was closed.

Firefighters and local residents criticized Clifton officials for putting the safety of the community in jeopardy. Before the fire company officially shut down Saturday, it responded to a call at 2 a.m.

The city manager of Clifton says the station could reopen if firefighters agree to a salary freeze, among other preconditions.