The Jersey Journal
UNION CITY, N.J. — Two families were displaced and a North Hudson Regional Fire and a North Hudson Regional Fire and Rescue firefighter was momentarily trapped by a three-alarm fire on Summit Avenue Tuesday night, officials said.
No injuries were reported in the fire at 1410 Summit Ave., but two families with small children lost most of their belongings, officials said.
“The most blessed part is that no one died. We lost everything, but at least we can start over again,” said Luis Valentino, a resident from the second-floor apartment.
About 45 firefighters and officers responded to the blaze, which investigators believe started in a second-floor bedroom, at around 9:33 p.m., Capt. Brion McEldowney said.
While battling the fire, officials realized Capt. Ray Leahy, a veteran of at least 25 years, was unaccounted for, McEldowney said. They had just started a search and rescue of the building while others fought the fire when Leahy called for help from a third-floor window.
“This is a fellow who got disoriented in zero visibility and followed his training by feeling for a door frame or a wall,” McEldowney said.
Firefighters performed a ladder rescue from the window, and Leahy was taken to Hoboken University Medical Center for chest pains. He was released a few hours later, McEldowney said.
The fire was confined to the second floor, which had heavy fire damage. The first and third floors received smoke and water damage, and firefighters had to cut a hole in the roof for ventilation.
“This is a fellow who got disoriented in zero visibility and followed his training by feeling for a door frame or a wall.” Capt. Brion McEldowney
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