Branchburg, N.J., fire tears through row of apartment homes, Red Cross says dozens displaced

A fire in Branchburg, New Jersey, ripped through an apartment and townhome complex, displacing more than 60 people on Wednesday morning, officials said. 

Video from Chopper 2 shows firefighters dousing the smoldering roof of the structure on Old York Road, part of the Red Rock Preserve apartments. 

Police said the inferno just off Route 202 started at around 5:30 a.m. and drew a large response from firefighters, who eventually got the flames under control.

Smoke continued billowing from the roof as firefighters on ladders kept spraying it with water.

Video shows part of the roof was completely gone after being consumed by the flames.

Investigators remained at the site into the afternoon to process the large scene and figure out what caused the fire.   

An official with the Red Cross on the scene said at least 65 people were displaced across 24 units that were impacted by the fire.

No one was seriously injured, but many of the units were destroyed, police said.

"It's just sad that they've lost pretty much everything," said Diane Concannon, with Red Cross New Jersey.

Some residents were allowed back inside their units to try to salvage any belongings that survived.

Resident Ofelia Medina said she wasn't home when the fire erupted, but she returned to find her belongings drenched.

"The fire department, they broke the window, the door, the back door, and everything is wet," she said. "So I don't know how long I have to get back to my apartment."

Medina's daughter Carolina Gutierrez said it's hard to see so much loss, but still, she's grateful.

"I mean, it's devastating. But luckily, what matters is she's safe," Gutierrez said.

The Red Cross is now assisting those families who have nowhere to stay.