12-alarm inferno shuts down New Jersey schools as massive blaze leaves town without power

A devastating 12-alarm fire tore through multiple industrial buildings in Belleville, forcing school closures and knocking out power across parts of the town. Mayor Michael Melham described the aftermath as “what hell looks like,” as firefighters continue battling hot spots after containing the blaze. The fire may have been caused by “some welding happening inside of a mattress factory — which is never a good combination, obviously,’’ the mayor said.