(Updated) Multi-Alarm NJ Blaze Leaves Dozens Homeless


Union City, N.J. -A ferocious fire in New Jersey sent people running for cover.

Firefighters warned onlookers the get behind the fire truck just before the sound of an explosion rang out, all captured on amateur video.

Thick plumes of black smoke, punctuated by bright orange flames, rose from the burning buildings.

Part of Palisade Avenue in Union City remains closed as firefighters search for hot spots – as well as a cause.

Several families have been left homeless, but miraculously alive. The blaze raced through the apartments in two adjoining buildings, bringing down walls and causing explosions.

Sunday presented some of the worst conditions for firefighting: flames whipped high by strong winds; old, wood-framed buildings with thick smoke everywhere; and big crowds of people to control.

Residents say a car fire started the blaze on Palisade Avenue.

"When I came down, all the buildings were fully involved," Union City Mayor Brian Stack said.

Mayor Stack made sure the 12 families left homeless by the fire had a place to go, and about 45 people were taken to a nearby recreation center.

"Thank God nobody was seriously hurt, and thank God nobody was killed," Mayor Stack said. "There were explosions inside the building, and several outside the building with the vehicles that were parked next door."

(SOT Deputy Fire Chief Nick Gazzillo CLIP 10 at 16:34:51 "The guys overcame a lot of obstacles – we had power lines down, we had gas tanks exploding, they overcame," Deputy Fire chief Nick Gazzillo said. "We suffered five minor injuries, but no one seriously hurt.

"There were several civilians that had smoke inhalation that were taken by EMS to the hospital," Stack said.

In all the smoky rubble, flames are hiding, so firefighters must guard the scene through the night. Later, a demolition team will be brought in to bring the gutted structures the rest of the way to the ground. 



CBS 2




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