PARSIPPANY — Early morning fire was reported at approximately 12:45 a.m., on Tuesday, January 4, a multi-alarm fire in the Green Hill Plaza, Parsippany Road. Witnesses at the scene said it started in Joseph’s Pizzeria. Reports that the rear of Joseph’s Pizzeria collapsed. The address for Joseph’s Pizzeria is 180 Parsippany Road. Best Brains Learning Center, Joseph’s Pizza, Empty Store (Bagel), Panda Wok, Pediatrics, and Dry Cleaner were deemed uninhabitable at this time due to structural damage. All remaining stores are closed at this time.
It was reported by breaking news alerts that a firefighter was injured while putting out the flames, and was transported to Morristown Medical Center. The efforts to distinguish the blaze continued all night and into early afternoon.
“Nothing I saw led me to believe arson, but they’re obviously going to do their thing,” District 6 Fire Chief Vincent Petito said to the Daily Record. “They may know something I don’t. But I didn’t see anyone running away here with a gas can.”
A Parsippany police spokesperson declined to comment, deferring to the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office. The fire remains under investigation.
All six Parsippany fire districts responded to the scene, with support arriving from Rockaway Township, Montville, Morris Township Fire Department, Whippany, Lincoln Park, Boonton, and Boonton Township. Parsippany Rescue and Recovery and the Morris Township Office of Emergency Management also came to render aid to the firefighters. Parsippany Emergency Medical Services, Rockaway Neck Volunteer Fire Department, and Parsippany Volunteer Fire Department were on the scene.
The shopping center consists of individual condo units. Joseph’s Pizza consists of approximately 2,300 square feet. The unit to the right of Joseph’s Pizza is currently vacant.
Also located in the same shopping center are Beauty City Salon and Spa, Greenhill Pharmacy, Quick Chek, Panda Wok, The “Laundry”, Fusha Sushi Bar, Greenhill Liquors, S & A Pediatrics, Lakeview Dental, Dahlia’s Medical, Massage, as well as a few other businesses.
