Elderly residents rescued from fire
On Sept. 12 at about 2 p.m., the Bayonne Fire Department was dispatched to 42 West 29th St. on multiple calls of a fire in the building. Upon arrival, firefighters were confronted by heavy fire blowing out of the windows from a basement apartment that extended up through an airshaft to the apartment above. Heavy smoke rose through the interior stairwell, and was also seen rising above the roofline. Firefighters had difficulty breaking through the locked front door of the apartment building due to the blinding smoke in the hallway lobby.
One woman, age 69, on the forth floor was screaming for help from an open window on the fourth floor in the front of the building. Firefighters positioned a platform bucket truck to her window in an attempt to access her. She was rescued by firefighters operating hose-lines from the interior, and rapidly brought to safety down a stairwell. Two additional victims, a male (age 64) and a female (age 48), from separate apartments, were reportedly trapped on the second floor and were found huddled on a fire escape in the side of the building. Firefighters were able to bring them down to safety. The victims were coughing from the smoke, but reportedly refused medical attention.
The fire consumed the entire basement apartment, and caused additional fire and smoke damage to the apartment above. The entire building was subject to water and smoke damage, along with broken windows caused by ventilation efforts.
The structure was a four-story brick apartment building consisting of 21 apartment units. A total of 33 tenants were displaced due to the fire and smoke damage. The City of Bayonne set up a shelter on the second floor of the Ice Rink at Bayonne High School to care for the displaced. Some of the displaced settled with friends and family.
The Fire Investigator’s preliminary report indicates the fire originated in the basement apartment on a stovetop in the kitchen.
“There was a lot going on when we first arrived,” said Fire Chief Greg Rogers. “There were multiple reports of trapped victims, heavy fire in the basement, and heavy smoke running the entire building. The firefighters made an outstanding rescue effort under very difficult conditions, and brought a total of three victims to safety. Many tenants were displaced but unharmed.”
Boy Scout derby will benefit autism foundation
On Saturday, Sept. 17, join Boy Scout Troop 25’s Eagle Project for a Special Pine Eagle Edition Derby. This event, which is being held for the community’s special needs children and their families, will be held at St. Henry’s Parish Center from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Sponsored by The Simpson Baber Foundation for the Autistic, this fun event will include a Pine Wood Derby Race, rope tying, and much more. Trained volunteers will guide you and your children through these fun-filled activities.
To register your child, call (201) 858-9933 or email simpsonbaber@hotmail.com.
Library to hold registration for children’s programs
The Bayonne Public Library will have registration for Parent/Toddler Time and Preschool Story-hour this month. Registration for these programs will take place starting Monday, Sept. 19, at 9:30 a.m. Registration will continue through Friday, Sept. 23, or until the programs are filled, whichever comes first. The fall session will begin on Oct. 4. You can register your child, in person, in the Children’s Room of the Bayonne Public Library at 31st Street and Avenue C. Proof of your family’s Bayonne residency and your children’s ages are required at the time of registration.
The Preschool Story-hour or Storytime, for children 3 to 5 years old, takes place on Wednesdays from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. Participants will read stories, sing songs, and make arts and crafts projects. The library staff asks that parents be certain that their children are ready to attend this program by themselves. Parents cannot stay with their children for this program, but must remain in the library building.
The Parent/Toddler Program is for children 2 to 3 years of age. Parents stay with their children during this program. It takes place on Tuesdays from 10:30 to 11 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. to noon. Participants will read stories, sing songs, and do arts and crafts projects.
The Lapsit Program is for children 18 to 24 months of age. The program takes place on Wednesdays from 11 to 11:30 a.m. Participants will read stories, sing some songs, and play with toys. Parents must stay with their children for this program. There is no registration needed for this program.
The programs that require registration fill up quickly, so come in early. These programs are open to all Bayonne residents in the appropriate age categories.