NEWARK, NJ – A fire at an abandoned house in Newark spread to adjacent structures forcing the evacuation and displacement of 12 people after their houses were damaged by the spreading fire.
The three-alarm fire what is it reported at 297 Clifton Avenue, according to Newark Public Safety Director Fritz G. Fragé.
At approximately 1:52 a.m., Newark firefighters responded to a call of fire in an unoccupied 3-1/2 story wood frame residential building. The fire extended to adjacent occupied buildings at 295 Clifton Avenue and at 299 Clifton Avenue and was immediately upgraded to a 2nd alarm; with a 3rd alarm called at 2:34 a.m.
“The main fire building, at 297 Clifton Avenue, experienced a partial collapse. No injuries have been reported, but 12 adults have been relocated from the two adjacent buildings at 295 Clifton Avenue and at 299 Clifton Avenue. Some 100 Newark Firefighters responded with assistance from Jersey City, Bloomfield, and Montclair Fire Departments,” Frage said.
The fire was considered under control at 4:05 a.m. The cause and origin of the fire is under investigation by the Newark Department of Public Safety’s Arson Unit.