Meadowlands fire extinguished; MetLife Stadium spared

The wind-whipped brush fire that consumed some 60 acres of the Meadowlands, and came dangerously close to the Izod Center and in range of MetLife Stadium, has been extinguished by Thursday morning.

Contrary to rumor, the fire didn't spread more because of Rex Ryan's bluster and there is no truth to the story that the Paterson Plank and Route 3 overpasses were set on fire by Brandon Jacobs— even though he did burn a few bridges after he left the Giants and signed with the 49ers.

Firefighters from 15 North Jersey departments used water cannons mounted on fire engines to battle the fast spreading blaze.  One firefighter suffered minor injuries.

The fire raged northeast of Paterson Plank Road and west of the New Jersey Turnpike and came close to the home of the New York Giants and Jets, but posed only a slim threat to MetLife.

The Izod Center— once the home of the New Jersey Nets and the New Jersey Devils— and Xanadu— that lifeless, multi-colored monstrosity containing a ski slope, a mall and enough bankruptcies to make even Gov. Chris Christie blush were the most in danger.

It's not surprising the swamp was burning— it's filled with dead reeds and discarded Jets promises— but its cause is still unknown.

Funny thing is there were probably more people watching the fire from the highways than there ever was inside the Izod for the Nets or Devils.  Here's a promotional idea for you guys— more pyrotechnics.