Fire tears through 5 homes on Newark-Irvington border in N.J.
NEWARK, N.J. — Flames tore through five homes on the Newark-Irvington border in Essex County on Tuesday afternoon.
Firefighters were sent to a vacant home on Montgomery Avenue near South 20th Street just before 5 p.m. for a report of a fire, according to Newark Public Safety officials.
Within half an hour, flames extended to four other residential buildings and the fire grew to three alarms, officials say. Newark Fire responded to provide mutual aid, and the New Jersey state fire marshal investigators and the Red Cross were on the scene.
Officials say the fire was brought under control just before 7 p.m., but crews remained on the scene for several hours
According to Newark Public Safety, an elderly man was injured and taken to a local hospital for treatment. His condition is currently unknown. No other injuries have been reported.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
9 families displaced in N.J. fire
Newark Public Safety officials say a total of 26 adults and four children from nine families have been displaced by the fire.
Nalinda Jain and her two children ran out with nothing.
"Another guy slap my door, and he tell me it's fire, come outside, come outside, and I just come outside. I don't even have no clothes on me, nothing," she said.
"I had all my documents, everything is just there. Everything I've, you know, everything I've had, so this is just all that I'm left with right now," Aghogho Aduomayaba said.
First responders were seen carrying out pets. Some residents found out their house was on fire while at work.
"Somebody called me and said the house is burning," one resident said.
"Right now, I don't have anywhere to stay. I don't even know what the process is. Never been in this situation before. I don't know what it entails," Aduomayaba said.
The Red Cross says they will assist with shelter, clothing and food.
