Eight firefighters were injured in a three-alarm Jersey City blaze early this morning where two vacant buildings collapsed, according to city spokeswoman Kimberly Wallace-Scalcione.
By John Heinis/Hudson County View
At approximately 1:32 a.m. this morning, the Jersey City Fire Department responded to 319 4th St. Upon arrival, firefighters observed a working fire fully involved within two vacant buildings located at 319 and 321 4th Street, Wallace-Scalcione told HCV.
Both buildings collapsed within 30 minutes and no civilian injuries were reported. 319 is a three-story, three-family building, while 321 is a two-story, two-family building and both have wooden frame structures.
Local residents reported possible trespassers staying within the vacant building at the time of the fire. As a result, emergency responders searched the collapsed buildings for any possible victims and none were found.
Seven firefighters and one captain were taken to the local hospital for minor injuries, including smoke inhalation and heat exhaustion.
“As a result of the JCFD’s swift and commendable work, the occupied neighboring residential buildings sustained only exterior damage, limited to the walls just feet away from the burning buildings,” Wallace-Scalcione added, noting that the cause of the fire is still under investigation.
Additionally, Jersey City’s Office of Emergency Management was on scene assisting the American Red Red Cross on relocating five occupants in neighboring buildings from 317 and 323 4th St.
