Fire burns through 5 homes in Irvington, New Jersey
NEWARK, N.J. — Flames tore through five homes in Irvington in Essex County, New Jersey on Tuesday afternoon.
Firefighters were sent to a vacant home on Montgomery Avenue near South 20th Street in Irvington 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.
Neighbor says he warned about possible squatters
One neighbor told CBS News New York they have seen people squatting in the vacant property for years and have even complained to City Hall as recently as last August, saying the people are often smoking and lighting fires out back.
"In the night, many people come in and they stay inside. Sometimes the people they smoke and they put fire inside," said Jose Huerto, whose home was destroyed in the fire. "So that's why I did the report to the city, but the city never responded."
"The city never did nothing," he added. "Now, I have nothing. All my home is - I lose my home."
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
9 families displaced by 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.
Nerlande Jean 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.
