Dozens of firefighters from five fire departments helped extinguish a four-alarm fire on West 34th Street on Monday, Feb. 16, just doors away from the landmark Judicke’s bakery.
The fire, believed to have begun at about 12:30 p.m., involved houses at 12 and 14 West 34th St. and the alleyway between the two structures.
All the residents home at the time of the fire evacuated, according to officials.
There were no reported injuries to residents, Bayonne Fire Chief Gregory Rogers said. However,
one firefighter was seen limping from the fire and was offered a stretcher by paramedics.
The snow and ice made firefighters’ efforts harder, according to Rogers, but the windy conditions early in the afternoon were not a factor.
The fire displaced at least a dozen people, including 10 members of the Mulcahy family at 12 West 34th St., according to Michael Mulcahy, a city code enforcement official whose parents own the house and have lived there for 54 years. Mulcahy’s brother, Paul, his wife, and six children live in the three-family house’s second and third floors. Eneas Mulcahy, 70, and his wife, Denise, live on the first floor. At least four people from 14 West 34th would probably be displaced, according to those on the block.
Windows were broken at both houses during the firefighting efforts.
“Everyone has their arms open and their houses open for us.” – Michael Mulcahy
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Both the Broadway and Avenue C entrances to the street were blocked off by emergency vehicles. Police and fire vehicles lined Broadway for about three blocks.
Bayonne firefighters received mutual aid responses from the Jersey City, Kearny, Newark, and North Hudson fire departments.
Both buildings suffered extensive fire, smoke, and water damage, Rogers said. The origin and cause of the fire were undetermined. An investigation into both was begun immediately.
Rogers said the fire “for the most part was under control” by about 3 p.m.
Later in the afternoon, the roof of 12 West 34th was reported to have partially collapsed.
Michael Mulcahy, who grew up there with his four siblings, said, “Everyone has their arms open and their houses open for us.”
The fire had begun low, raced upward through the walls, and into the attics of both houses, according to Rogers.
The house at 16 West 34th Street and Judicke’s, at the corner of Broadway and 34th, were not affected by the fire.
Mayor James Davis and Public Safety Director Robert Kubert went to the site of the fire.
Joseph Passantino may be reached at JoePass@hudsonreporter.com.To comment on this story online visit www.hudsonreporter.com.