N.J. Condo Construction Site Catches Fire
A huge fire engulfed a five-story condominium complex under construction along the Hudson River Wednesday evening, before spreading to the entire block. It started with an explosion and witnesses said the flames were hundreds of feet in the air.
The fire knocked out power in the immediate area, affecting 2000 Edgewater, Cliffside Park and Fort Lee customers. Authorities are concerned about construction equipment on the site, and about fuel that is stored there.
About eight homes were destroyed on a bluff above the construction site. One of those homes belonged to a fireman fighting the blaze, reports WCBS-AM. He evacuated his wife, but couldn't save his house.
The fire could be seen Wednesday night from miles away and across the river in New York City. A number of vehicles on the block also were damaged.
Several residents had to be evacuated, including patients at a nearby nursing home. A shelter was set up in a nearby community center.
No residents were hurt, but two firefighters were injured. The extent of their injuries was not immediately known. One was taken to a hospital.
No one was living yet in the Avalon River Mews condominiums being built on the former site of an Alcoa plant.
As the fire intensified, residents began watering their lawns in an effort to keep the intense flames from spreading to their properties. Fire officials eventually told them to stop so that water pressure levels for firefighters would not be affected.
Water from fire trucks was sprayed on houses and trees across the street from the site in an effort to keep the blaze from spreading.
Investigators were still trying to determine the cause of the blaze, which was contained after about two hours.
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