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Five-Alarm Fire Destroys Four Homes, Seriously Injures Three In Perth Amboy

PERTH AMBOY, N.J. (CBSNewYork/AP) - Authorities said that an intense, fast-moving fire has destroyed four homes in Perth Amboy and seriously injured three people.

1010 WINS' Glenn Schuck reports

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Dozens of people were also left homeless by the massive blaze, which started at around 4 a.m. on Sunday. Two residents -- a father and son -- remained unaccounted for early on Sunday afternoon, but authorities said it's not clear if they were home when the fire started.

The three injured people -- a couple and their infant daughter -- were hospitalized in serious but stable condition.

Perth Amboy Mayor, Wilda Diaz told CBS 2's Rachel Stockman that "it is a miracle that no one was killed from this fire."

The fire has left dozens homeless.

"They lost our cars, our jeeps, our house, we lost everything," said Tony Sime.

Authorities said that it was one of the worst fires that they had ever seen.

"With the amount of fire we had, I have not seen that amount of fire in a very long time, I've been doing this for more than thirty years," said David Volk of the Perth Amboy Fire Department.

Roughly 75 firefighters battled the stubborn blaze, which damaged several other homes and burned for several hours before it was brought under control.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation. Witnesses said it appeared to be "raining ashes'' as crews worked to extinguish the massive flames.

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(TM and Copyright 2012 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2012 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 This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.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.)

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