HOBOKEN – The fire that raged through six residential units at 505 and 507 Washington St. last month has been ruled “accidental in nature,” Hoboken Fire Marshal Stephen DeVincent told The Hoboken Reporter on March 9.
“We concluded the investigation. It is not a suspicious fire by any means, nor intentional,” DeVincent said. “It was accidental but due to lack of analysis we can’t say exactly how it began.”
The fire originated from the rear bedroom of the 505 Washington St. residence, according to DeVincent, and tore through the top of the building around 10 p.m. on Feb. 13. The blaze was put out at approximately 2 a.m. after spreading to 507 Washington St. and resulted in the injuries of 14 firefighters.
Firefighters, who were also dealing with frigid temperatures, suffered minor injuries, and no one died in the fire.
The Hoboken Building Department did not immediately respond to phone calls from the Hoboken Reporter. At press time, there was no information about whether the apartment will have to be demolished and when the stores on the ground floors will reopen.
Scaffolding has been set up at the site so materials can be removed from the building, DeVincent said. – Steven Rodas