Eight people displaced by Wednesday fire

BAYONNE – Eight Bayonne residents were displaced by an early-morning fire on Wednesday, March 11, a fire official said.
At just before 8 a.m., the Bayonne Fire Department responded to 65 West 26th St. on the report of a structure fire, according to Fire Chief Gregory Rogers.
“Arriving firefighters were confronted with heavy fire blowing out of the window on the first floor of the building and the reports of two people possibly trapped on the second floor,” Rogers said. “Within seconds the two occupants emerged from the smoke-filled front hall to safety.”
Firefighters utilized multiple fire hoses to control the fire and to prevent its spread to adjacent buildings, Rogers said.
The fire was contained to the first and second floors, with significant fire damage to the first floor. There was substantial smoke and water damage throughout the house.
Five people were reported to be home at the time of the fire and all reportedly escaped without injury. Firefighters removed two dogs and had to rescue a cat, according to a building resident.
Eight people were displaced by the fire.
The fire investigator on duty determined that the blaze originated in a first-floor, front bedroom. The Bayonne Building Department determined the house to be structurally sound.
One firefighter was transported to Bayonne Medical Center with difficulty breathing, and was treated and released.
The fire was declared under control within an hour and is still under investigation.