The Jersey Journal
JERSEY CITY, N.J. — Burning power lines caused some tense moments for firefighters responding to a three-alarm fire that temporarily displaced all the residents from a 26-unit apartment building in Jersey City Saturday evening, fire officials said.
When the firefighters arrived at the five-story brick residential building at 101 Clifton Pl. at 6:28 p.m., two minutes after the first alarm, fire was shooting out of a second-floor apartment window “like a torch,” Jersey City Fire Director Armando Roman said.
The building was evacuated of its 60 occupants, and flames quickly spread to a third-floor apartment through the window, he said.
Engine Company 10, under the command of Captain Steven Rycola, quickly ran a hose into the building. When power lines above the front door caught fire, firefighters were forced to stay inside the building, Roman said. A few minutes later, the danger subsided and the firefighters escaped the burning building.
“The power lines could have snapped and electrocuted somebody. It was a very dangerous situation,” Roman said. “Their rapid efforts were critical in preventing fire from spreading to the rest of the building.”
The fire was declared under control at 6:51 p.m. and firefighters left the scene at 10:07 p.m.
The apartments on the second and third floor suffered “heavy damage” officials said. Roman said that 60 people were displaced from the 26 apartments in the building because PSE&G could not restore power. The Red Cross of Northern New Jersey found temporary accommodation for two people who could not find alternative accommodations.
No injuries were reported.
The cause and origin of the fire is under investigation, Roman said. The occupant of the severely damaged second-floor apartment told Roman that she was out of her apartment washing clothes when the fire started, Roman said.
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