NEWARK, NJ – Flames ripped through five homes in Irvington in Essex County, New Jersey, on Tuesday afternoon.
According to Newark Public Safety officials, firefighters were dispatched to a vacant home on Montgomery Avenue near South 20th Street in Irvington for a report of a fire just before 5 p.m.
Within half an hour, the flames spread to four other residential buildings and the fire grew to three alarms, officials said. Newark Fire responded to provide mutual aid, and New Jersey State Fire Marshal and Red Cross investigators were on scene.
Officials say the fire was brought under control just before 7 p.m., but crews remained on scene for hours
According to Newark Public Safety, an elderly man was injured and taken to a local hospital for treatment. His condition is currently unknown. No other injuries were reported.
Neighbor says he has warned about possible squatters
A neighbor told CBS News New York that they have seen people squatting in the vacant building for years and even complained to City Hall last August, saying the people often smoke and light fires in the backyard.
“At night, a lot of people come in and stay inside. Sometimes people smoke and light the fire inside,” said Jose Huerto, whose home was destroyed by the fire. “So that’s why I made the report to the city, but the city never responded.”
“The city has never done nothing,” he added. “Now I have nothing. My whole house is – I’m losing my house.”
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
9 families displaced by fire in NJ
Newark Public Safety officials say a total of 26 adults and four children from nine families have been displaced by the fire.
Nerlande Jean and her two children walked away with nothing.
“Another man knocked on my door and he told me it was a fire. Come out, come out and I’ll just come out. I don’t even have any clothes on me, nothing,” she said.
“I had all my documents, everything is just there. Everything I have, you know, everything I’ve had, so this is just all I have left now,” Aghogho Aduomayaba said.
Emergency workers were seen carrying pets. Some residents discovered while at work that their house was on fire.
“Someone called me and said the house is on fire,” said one resident.
“Right now, I don’t have anywhere to stay. I don’t even know what the process is. I’ve never been in this situation. I don’t know what it entails,” Aduomayaba said.
The Red Cross says it will help with shelter, clothing and food.
