It’s been 1,152 days since the Dunellen fire station was shut down following a devastating fire.

The firehouse has been closed since Oct. 2021, when a truck caught fire and damaged the building.

After three years of work to restore the facility, it is now open and ready for firefighters.

"Today, we welcome the Dunellen Fire Department back to this cherished building," said Mayor Jason F. Cilento. "The past three years have been difficult, but a good reminder of what community means and volunteers coming together."

The building features state-of-the-art changes and it has a new name, honoring one of their own – George W. Hodulik, a veteran who’s served at the firehouse for over 60 years.

At 98, he couldn’t come in person but celebrated by video call.

"I couldn't think of a better person when it was brought to the membership," said Dunellen Fire Chief Bill Scott. "The fire resulted in significant change but we’re better today than we were before the fire because of it."

Extensive smoke damage from the 2021 fire caused the building to be gutted down to the brick framework and steel structure.

It took a lot of hard work to bring the building from the original 1962 construction to what it is now a 2024 state-of-the-art building.