BAYONNE – A two-alarm fire swept through a Kennedy Boulevard residence on Friday, May 16 at about 9 a.m., displacing 12 people and forcing them to seek shelter. No injuries were reported.
At 8:59 a.m., the Bayonne Fire Department responded to 444 Kennedy Blvd. on reports of a fire at the two-and-half-story frame building.
Arriving firefighters were confronted with heavy smoke and flames emanating from the first floor windows and extending to the porch roof, according to Fire Chief Gregory Rogers.
“One tenant, on the third floor, was evacuated by firefighters, and the remaining two occupants home at the time of the fire, self evacuated from the first floor,” Rogers said.
Firefighters quickly extinguished the fire, and were able to stop further spread to upper floors. The fire caused substantial damage to the first floor, and damaged the porch roof in front of the building. The upper floors were damaged by smoke and heat.
Firefighters called for Red Cross officials to assist in providing shelter for the displaced tenants.
The fire, which appears to have originated on the first floor, is under investigation, Rogers said.
The Police Department, Emergency Medical Services, Fire Canteen, and Building Department responded to the fire, officials said. – Joseph Passantino
Morning fire in Bayonne displaces 12
