Smoky fire at Newark Acme supermarket causes $250,000 in damage

Aetna Hook & Ladder Company was dispatched to a fire late Sunday night in the Acme store at 100 Grove Lane in Newark, the redeveloped College Square shopping center. An airboat was sent to the scene to clear out smoke inside the building.

The initial call to the New Castle County 911 Center around 10:45 p.m. reported the use of the sprinkler system with a water flow alarm.

Fire department units arrived within minutes to find smoke inside the store. Further investigation revealed an active fire in the building.

Firefighters extinguished most of the fire within minutes but were faced with smoke throughout the building. Airboat 57 from the South Bowers Volunteer Fire Department assisted with clearing smoke. Area fire companies also responded to the blaze.

The situation was declared under control at 11:04 p.m., and all units left the scene at 12:33 a.m.

The fire is being investigated by the Newark Police Department and the State Fire Marshal’s office.

The Fire Marshal’s office estimated damage at a quarter of a million dollars.