Allison Pries
NJ Advance Media Group, Edison, N.J.
ELIZABETH, N.J. — Elizabeth fire officials said they are investigating whether fireworks ignited an early morning blaze that damaged a three-story rooming house.
Residents told city firefighters they saw someone setting off fireworks behind the Westfield Avenue residence shortly before a fire broke out early on New Year’s Day, Battalion Chief Steve McConlogue said. Firefighters said they also heard fireworks inside the house.
“In the early stages of the fire, we did hear and see fireworks going off inside the home as the fire spread,” McConlogue said.
The official cause and origin of fire are still under investigation. The fire was reported just after 4 a.m. and was deemed under control at about 7:20 a.m., fire officials said.
“The fire was difficult to fight because the very large structure was remodeled and chopped up into single rooms,” McConlogue said.
No injuries were reported but the fire displaced 25 residents, officials said.
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