Madison, New Jersey

Fire breaks out at Madison's Firehouse - the restaurant
February 23, 2010

MADISON — A small fire broke out at the Firehouse.

It wasn't the actual borough firehouse, but a longtime Italian restaurant located in the downtown area. The owner of Nicky's Firehouse Restaurant & Pizza, located at 15 Central Ave., called the fire department when he saw flames inside the brick oven grow out of control shortly before noon.


No structural damage was evident, and nobody was injured. However, the restaurant was closed for the afternoon.

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Capt. Ed Nunn said the fire department received the call at 11:50 a.m. He said the small fire was believed to have been caused by woodframe material around the vent pipe charring from excessive heat.


"After all the years of heating (from the pipe), the wood dries out," he said.


Firefighters removed a section of the restaurant's wall adjacent to a narrow alley to vent out the area and to make sure the fire didn't expand inside the walls.


Firefighters were at the scene for about an hour, Nunn said, and were joined by units from Floham Park and Cedar Knolls for backup. Nunn said it was fortunate that the owner readily called the fire department when he saw the flames.


"Thank goodness it was seen right away," Nunn said.


The borough Board of Health said yesterday afternoon that the restaurant was allowed to reopen.


Owner Nick Lardieri said he's owned the restaurant for 19 years.