Fire in Montclair State parking deck damages 3 vehicles; no injuries reported

The Red Hawk Parking Deck was reopened around 3 p.m. Wednesday following the fire.

Karina Gerry

Feb 21, 2024, 5:19 PM

Updated 156 days ago

Share:

A fire at the Red Hawk Parking Deck at Montclair State University left some students and staff waiting hours in the cold on Wednesday. The morning fire damaged three cars.
"Two are totaled and another suffered some paint damage, the owners have been contacted,” says university spokesperson Joseph Brennan.
The fire broke out on the third floor around 10:30 a.m. Clifton and Montclair firefighters were able to put the fire under control and no injuries were reported.
Both faculty and students have parking access to the parking deck if they purchase a permit. They were allowed back into the garage for a controlled exit just after 3 p.m.
Students on their way to class Wednesday morning say they were shocked to find a police presence on campus.
“The cops, they were stopping everyone from coming in this way," Arieana Rodriguez, a Montclair student explained. "All I saw was all the black smoke coming from over there. Yeah, it was crazy and all I was thinking was, ‘Where are we going to park?’”
The parking deck is located on College Avenue across from Sprague Field.  College Avenue was closed for at least two hours as officers diverted cars and New Jersey Transit buses to the Normal Avenue campus entrance. College Avenue is now back open and NJ Transit has resumed pick-up and drop-offs at that bus stop.


More from News 12
2:10
Boar’s Head deli meat recalled for potential listeria contamination

Boar’s Head deli meat recalled for potential listeria contamination

2:16
Fire at Fair Lawn strip mall destroys multiple businesses, including popular Zadies Bakery

Fire at Fair Lawn strip mall destroys multiple businesses, including popular Zadies Bakery

2:42
Beautiful weekend ahead for New Jersey with sunny skies and warm temperatures

Beautiful weekend ahead for New Jersey with sunny skies and warm temperatures

1:43
Lead found on Keyport beach not ‘urgent risk’ to public health, no need to close beach

Lead found on Keyport beach not ‘urgent risk’ to public health, no need to close beach

0:29
Man who pleaded guilty to attacking Jewish men sentenced to 30 years on terror charges

Man who pleaded guilty to attacking Jewish men sentenced to 30 years on terror charges

1:01
‘It’s a beautiful sport.’ New pickleball courts open in Howell Township

‘It’s a beautiful sport.’ New pickleball courts open in Howell Township

0:55
EPA completes Phase 1 of superfund site cleanup at Unimatic Manufacturing site in Fairfield

EPA completes Phase 1 of superfund site cleanup at Unimatic Manufacturing site in Fairfield

0:20
West New York school named for Sen. Menendez to revert to original name

West New York school named for Sen. Menendez to revert to original name

0:30
Attorney general: NJ state trooper ‘inexcusably crossed the line,’ admits to punching handcuffed woman in the face in 2022

Attorney general: NJ state trooper ‘inexcusably crossed the line,’ admits to punching handcuffed woman in the face in 2022

0:15
East Brunswick police: Bicyclist killed in Route 18 crash

East Brunswick police: Bicyclist killed in Route 18 crash

0:30
No one injured in Kenilworth house fire

No one injured in Kenilworth house fire

1:04
Attorney general releases body camera footage of fatal Hamilton police-involved shooting

Attorney general releases body camera footage of fatal Hamilton police-involved shooting

0:15
Part of Manchester’s Harry Wright Lake closed due to high levels of fecal bacteria

Part of Manchester’s Harry Wright Lake closed due to high levels of fecal bacteria

0:23
2 dead in Maine plane crash after leaving New Jersey airport

2 dead in Maine plane crash after leaving New Jersey airport

0:18
$1 million lottery ticket won from $20 scratch-off at North Wildwood Wawa

$1 million lottery ticket won from $20 scratch-off at North Wildwood Wawa

1:59
Paws & Pals: Felicity now up for adoption at Associated Humane Societies

Paws & Pals: Felicity now up for adoption at Associated Humane Societies

1:17
Gov. Murphy discusses potential Menendez replacement on ‘Ask Gov. Murphy’

Gov. Murphy discusses potential Menendez replacement on ‘Ask Gov. Murphy’

0:40
State, federal lawmakers introduce legislation to shorten funding gap for World Trade Center Health Program

State, federal lawmakers introduce legislation to shorten funding gap for World Trade Center Health Program

0:33
New Jersey now has 21 towns where starter homes cost more than $1 million

New Jersey now has 21 towns where starter homes cost more than $1 million

0:48
Jersey Proud: Dean Martin & Jerry Lewis first performed together 78 years ago in Atlantic City

Jersey Proud: Dean Martin & Jerry Lewis first performed together 78 years ago in Atlantic City