A fire broke out Wednesday afternoon, damaging three connected buildings along 74th street at Broadway in North Bergen. According to town spokesman Phil Swibinski, the fire originated in the easternmost building, and quickly spread to the adjacent buildings before North Hudson Regional Fire and Rescue firefighters could extinguish the blaze. The building housed both apartments and businesses, town officials said.
Officials stated that one woman was rescued by firefighters after being trapped on the third floor of the eastern-most building. She was hospitalized for smoke inhalation. Another resident and two firefighters also sustained non-serious injuries in the fire. They were treated at Palisades Medical Center.
“The firemen did a marvelous job getting her out.” – North Bergen Mayor Nicholas Sacco.
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Twelve families were displaced from their homes. Officials did not know the origin of the fire by press time on Thursday.
“Nobody knows the cause at this point,” said Sacco, who mentioned that a forensic team would analyze the scene. Sacco also added that local children were not released from schools until the situation was deemed fully safe.
The reaction
On Wednesday, local residents gathered around the yellow tape, watching as firefighters continued to battle the smoke.
One resident began tearing up, remarking that her mother lived in the building. Another mentioned that he believed the roof to have caved in on at least one of the buildings.
“Those buildings are done for,” he said.
Sacco said the buildings housed three businesses, including a shoemaker, boutique, and an electrical company.
“The problem with that kind of structure is that the three roofs are connected,” he said.
“The buildings don’t look like they’re going to collapse,” said Michael DeOrio, co-executive director of the North Hudson Regional Firefighters Association. DeOrio also said that the owner felt that they would knock down at least two of the three buildings.
Tonnelle Wine and Liquors, through the North Bergen Concerned Citizens Group, is donating $500 to help assist the Red Cross with displaced families from the buildings, according to Ken Morrison, a spokesman for the group. Morrison also said that the group is also asking local businesses to give a helping hand to the families.
Interested parties can contact Morrison at (201) 220-3573 for more on donating, including learning how to donate to the Red Cross directly.
Stephen LaMarca may be reached at slamarca@hudsonreporter.com.