By Seth Augenstein
NJ.com
ELIZABETH, N.J. — A woman was killed and another is in serious condition after a massive fire broke out this morning in Elizabeth, authorities said. Five firefighters were injured, including one who sustained a broken arm. Two police officers also were hurt, according to Deputy Fire Chief Carl Heitmeyer. None of the police officers or firefighters injuries are life-threatening.
“It looked like daylight,” said Melissa Yon, who lives on Mellon Place, a dead-end street where the fire broke out. “It was like a Hiroshima cloud of fire.”
Security bars on the house at 238 Orchard Street where the victim lived slowed rescue efforts because firefighters couldn’t simply break windows, the deputy chief added. A heating oil tank also exploded, which accelerated the fire quickly, authorities said.
Full story: Woman dead, girl badly injured and 7 firefighters and police officers hurt in massive Elizabeth fire