Residents and town officials are still reeling from the fire that took place last Wednesday, Jan. 11 along Broadway near 74th Street. Three buildings were damaged in the blaze, two of which have since been taken down.
The third building, now vacant, is also expected to be torn down. Twelve families were displaced from the buildings, which housed both apartments and storefronts.
Officials said that one woman was rescued by firefighters after being trapped on the third floor of the easternmost 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.
Almost immediately after the tragedy struck, residents, officials, and local business owners from North Bergen and the surrounding area have donated their time, efforts, and money to help the victims of the fire. Many of the affected families are currently being housed in local motels funded by the Red Cross.
“It was just amazing the outpouring of people that were so willing to help.” – Aimee Focaraccio
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“I woke up and I could see the flame in the living room,” said Humphrey, adding that he quickly grabbed a fire extinguisher and woke his uncle. “By the time I went to wake him, the fire had spread to the ceiling.”
After escorting his uncle – who suffered a fractured neck upon falling down the stairs –Humphrey Jr. quickly ran back upstairs to attempt to fight the fire.
“By that time it [the fire] had spread all across the ceiling and there was glass breaking,” said Humprey Jr. “The fumes and the smoke had gotten a lot thicker.”
Unable to collect more of his possessions, Humphrey Jr. quickly left the building, barefoot, while alerting others in the vicinity.
Diagnosis
Following a preliminary investigation, officials determined that the fire started as a result of an overloaded power strip, town spokesman Phil Swibinski said. Space heaters had been plugged into the strip. The fire displaced 27 people.
Officials also noted that the final investigation would not be completed for “some time” as the space heaters and power strip are more thoroughly examined.
Humphrey claimed that the heat did not work properly in his building.
“We had not used the heat in that building for awhile, maybe six years,” said Humphrey Jr. “Every time we would turn the heat on, [the radiator] would spew rusty water all over the house.
“The building that we lived in was very old,” said Humphrey Jr. “It just went up like a match.”
Come together
Shortly after the fire, local resident and neighbor of the displaced families Aimee Focaraccio realized she had to help.
“I grew up with two of the residents,” said Focaraccio. “I live right across the street from where the fire happened. They weren’t strangers to me.”
Focaraccio said that after she heard news of the fire, she quickly posted on her Facebook page to determine what the victims needed. After the comment generated a lot of activity, she quickly created the group, “NB Broadway Fire Victims.”
“In a couple of days we had over 250 hits,” said Focaraccio. “I had calls from people all over North Bergen, Saddle Brook, Paramus, and even Brooklyn.”
“It was just amazing the outpouring of people that were so willing to help,” added Focaraccio.
Focaraccio has also started clothing drive. Clothing and toiletries can be dropped off at the Pop Warner Football Building at the North Bergen Recreation Center at 6300 Meadowview Ave. With the assistance of the Recreation and Police Departments, she also helped coordinate a fundraiser soccer game Saturday, Jan. 21 at the field behind Bruins Stadium.
Focaraccio can be reached at 201-923-8815 for donation and fundraiser information.
Tonnelle Wine and Liquors, through the North Bergen Citizens Group, has also helped collect donations for the fire. The day of the fire, they donated $500 to help assist the Red Cross with displaced families.
“The North Bergen Concerned Citizens Group and I put out the call for help,” said Larry Wainstein, owner of Tonelle Wine and Liquors, “and we had an overwhelmingly positive response from the community.”
“The response speaks volumes about the people of this community and their giving nature,” added Wainstein.
“When something like this happens it doesn’t just affect the families who lost their homes; it touches all of us,” said Mayor Nick Sacco. “Over the last two days many of our municipal departments, school personnel and residents have stepped up to help these people piece their lives back together.”
The Humphrey family was more than thankful for the efforts of the community.
“The community has been wonderful,” said Humphrey Jr. “They’ve been trying to help us with everything we need.”
“Aimee [Focaraccio] has been a godsend,” Humphrey Jr. continued. “She’s been helping us tremendously with clothing, toiletries, and housing.”
Humphrey Jr. also mentioned that the North Hudson Community Action Corporation also assisted with the hotel costs while the family searches for an apartment.
SIDEBAR
The community efforts continue:
– A Relief Fund was established for the fire victims at the North Bergen Health Department at 1116 43rd Street. Checks can be made out to the Township of North Bergen with Fire Victims in the memo line.
-Ravi Varma and the I Believe Foundation pledged $2,000 to the victims of the fire.
– The North Bergen Educational Foundation, a charitable organization, is donating $1,000 to the families of each of the four North Bergen students whose homes were destroyed.
– The North Bergen School District is holding a dress down day fundraiser on Jan. 20, with all proceeds going to the victims.
– The Recreation Department is donating $700 to the victims, $100 from each recreation program.
– Robert Fulton School PTO is having a spaghetti dinner on Saturday, Jan. 28 at 2 p.m. in the gym. The event will include a DJ, raffle, and games for children. Admission fee is $5.
More activities are also being planned to help the victims make it through this devastating loss.
Stephen LaMarca may be reached at slamarca@hudsonreporter.com.