4 homes badly burned as massive fire rips through Newark neighborhood
A large fire badly damaged several homes, even causing one of them to collapse, on the border of Newark and Irvington, N.J. early Thursday evening.
The 3-alarm fire was first reported around 5:20 p.m. in the area of Montgomery and Avon avenues. Thick black smoke and bright orange flames could be seen billowing out of multiple homes, with smoke visible as far as 20 miles away, according to ABC 7.
At least four homes were on fire within minutes. Two of them suffered severe damage, according to News 12 New Jersey, with one house eventually collapsing due to the damage.
Multiple trees around the homes also caught on fire and and a car was engulfed in flames.
Other homes in the area were evacuated as the fire quickly spread, with officials saying at least 30 people from nine families had been displaced, according to ABC 7.
City officials said one elderly man was injured and taken to the hospital for treatment. No other injuries had been reported.
Crews from Jersey City and West New York were called in to assist in putting out the blaze. Fire officials said there was at least one dead hydrant at the scene, leading to water pressure issues. The blaze was brought under control just before 7 p.m.
It’s currently unclear how the fire started, though Fox 5 helicopter reporter Dan Rice said high winds may have contributed to the fire’s rapid spread.
