Waldwick fire continues to burn into evening

Though rain had started to fall, a fire at a PSE&G substation continued to smolder at 5 p.m. p.m., more than six hours after neighbors reported hearing a pair of explosions.

WALDWICK -- Though rain had started to fall, a fire at a PSE&G substation continued to smolder at 5 p.m., more than six hours after neighbors reported hearing a pair of explosions.

The blasts shook the pictures on Mike Pendergast's wall and scared Mario Ritondale's wife.

Late into the afternoon, they were still unable to return to their homes after firefighters evacuated them.

Large electrical fire in Waldwick. pic.twitter.com/03TXuyBBZ1

-- Myles Ma (@MylesMaNJ) September 13, 2015

"I just hope they get it under control," said Ritondale, 58. "I don't want any damage."

It took more than three hours for firefighters to begin spraying foam on the electrical fire and suppress the tower of black smoke, which could be seen for miles. PSE&G said "the area had to be made safe" before firefighters could attack the fire.

The fire initially knocked out power for nearly 2,000 PSE&G customers in Hillsdale, Westwood and Woodcliff Lake, Kate Vossen, a spokeswoman for the utility, said. Power was restored around 2 p.m.

The ground of the substation was caked in foam as firefighters doused the burning reactor. A brook near the substation was covered in a bubbles, as were firefighters emerging from the blaze.

By 5 p.m., the foam and the wind tamped down the black plume rising from the substation, but the smoke persisted and a ladder continued to drop foam. Firefighters at the scene and Waldwick police declined to comment. Mayor Thomas Giordano did not return a call seeking comment.

The fire prompted a massive response. In addition to Waldwick firefighters, departments from Ho-Ho-Kus, Lodi, Mahwah, Paramus, Wyckoff, Saddle River, Oakland, Franklin Lakes and Midland Park were at the scene.

Myles Ma may be reached at mma@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @MylesMaNJ. Find NJ.com on Facebook.