A five-alarm fire in Bayonne that start early this morning has left 22 people from five different families displaced, Fire Chief Keith Weaver said.
By John Heinis/Hudson County View
At approximately 4:15 a.m., the Bayonne Fire Department was dispatched to 40 E 5th Street on a report of fire. Arriving companies found heavy fire in the original fire building and extension into both 38 and 42 E 5th St., Weaver said in a statement.
Due to heavy fire conditions in three structures, the fire progressed to five alarms. Firefighters used multiple hand lines and aerial devices to help extinguish the blaze, which was brought under control at about 6:53 a.m.
One firefighter and one occupant were transported to a local hospital, where both were treated for minor injuries and released. A fire investigation is underway to determine the cause.
Additionally, all displaced residents are under the care of the Bayonne Office of Emergency Management and the Red Cross.
“I want to express my thanks to our firefighters and all our mutual aid partners for their incredible efforts today in a very stubborn fire,” Weaver added.
“With three houses fully involved in fire on arrival, it was only due to firefighters efforts that the fire remained contained to these three structures. I want to also thank our Police Department, McCabe Ambulance, the Board of Education, and the Fire Canteen for their assistance.”
According to Bayonne OEM, East 5th Street between Lord Ave & Lexington Ave will be closed until 7 a.m. Sunday.
This is also at least the sixth fire in Hudson County this week.
A seven-alarm brush fire in Jersey City Tuesday afternoon, five- and six-alarm fires in Weehawken and Union City, respectively, late Tuesday, another four-alarm blaze broke out in Union City early Friday morning, and then a three-alarm fire in the Jersey City Heights Friday afternoon.