The American Dream mall in East Rutherford underwent a brief evacuation Thursday morning due to a dumpster fire that ignited outside the complex. An American Dream spokesperson confirmed that the incident involved a small fire, which prompted the decision to temporarily evacuate the facility as a precautionary measure.
Local fire department personnel quickly responded to the scene and extinguished the fire, which was located at a loading dock. Fortunately, no injuries were reported, and New Jersey State Police stated that the fire was not considered suspicious. The evacuation affected only a small number of individuals, as the incident occurred before business hours.
As of 10 a.m., the spokesperson announced that the situation had been “fully resolved,” allowing the mall to resume its regular operating hours from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
This incident echoes a similar occurrence in September 2021, when a three-alarm fire broke out near the mall’s Big SNOW ski slope, with flames briefly spreading to the building’s exterior. That fire, which was attributed to an electrical issue, also happened during pre-dawn hours, resulting in no injuries.
As the American Dream mall continues to operate, it remains committed to ensuring the safety of its patrons and staff, reflecting a proactive approach in addressing emergencies.