Dozens Displaced After 4-Alarm Fire Rips Through 3 Buildings In Newark
NEWARK, N.J. (CBSnewYork/AP) -- A four-alarm fire swept through three buildings in Newark, displacing more than two dozen residents.
The fire broke out around 1 a.m. Monday in a building on Bloomfield Avenue and the flames spread to two other structures. The buildings had stores on the street level and apartments above.
"It just devoured the entire third floor and from what I hear, the entire third floor collapsed onto the second floor," resident Richard Ascon told CBS2's Janelle Burrell.
"Firemen kicked the doors in and me and my friend were trapped in the backyard and all the water was falling on us," resident Sandra Cabrera told 1010 WINS' Glenn Schuck.
Cabrera managed to grab her jacket, but left behind her medication which she said is critical after her liver transplant.
"I need my medication to stay alive," she said. "And my cat, I couldn't grab the cat. She was hiding under the bed."
Nearly 100 firefighters faced cold and windy conditions before they were able to bring the blaze under control. No residents were hurt, but 29 people have been displaced. Two firefighters suffered minor injuries.
City officials say it appears nothing from the buildings can be salvaged and they will be likely be torn down. The Red Cross is helping residents left homeless by the blaze.
The cause is under investigation.
Check Out These Other Stories From CBSNewYork.com:
(TM and © Copyright 2014 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2014 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)