By: Anthony G. Attrino
Source: nj.com
Firefighters on Monday were battling a large blaze at facility in Hudson County used for restoring motor homes and buses for use as celebrity trailers at events such as the upcoming Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.
“Today is a devastating day, the fire destroyed seven of our buses,” said Chrisel Flores, booking agent for Royal Buses in the 100 block of Lincoln Highway in South Kearny. The company makes production trailers for movies and television, Flores said.
Flores said the company’s groundskeeper discovered the fire spreading throughout the property when he came to work about 6 a.m. The worker was not hurt and no injuries were reported early Monday.
Royal Buses purchases used motor homes and buses turns them into mobile studios for some of the largest events in New York City and elsewhere, Flores said.
Flores described the vehicles as a place where celebrities such as Jennifer Lopez and Mariah Carey arrive for hair and makeup before performing at events. The company has been in business for more than 13 years, Flores said.
Before the fire began, workers had been constructing a studio inside one of the buildings and another studio in one of the motor homes, Flores said. It was unclear where the fire started, but Flores said all seven buses that were destroyed were intended for use at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.
Flores said back-up buses “are scattered” throughout New York and New Jersey, with locations in Parsippany, Brooklyn and elsewhere. The main facility, however, is in South Kearny, she added.
“We provide trailers for everything, the Macy’s day parade, the Times Square ball drop, the (Rockefeller Center) tree-lighting,” Flores said.
Royal Buses has a second location in the tri-state area where additional back-up buses are kept and should be able to replace the vehicles that were destroyed, Flores said.
Video from ABC-7 showed flames in a parking area near two industrial buildings. The news station reported efforts to fight the fire were hampered by a locked chain link fence that firefighters had to cut through.
Anthony G. Attrino may be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @TonyAttrino. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
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