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Devastating fire in Newark, N.J., displaces over 60 residents, leaves 6 firefighters hurt, officials say

By
Christina Fan
Christina Fan
Christina Fan
Christina Fan joined CBS News New York as a general assignment reporter in spring of 2019.
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Christina Fan,
Kristie Keleshian,
Mark Prussin
Digital Producer, CBS New York
Mark Prussin is a digital producer at CBS New York. He covers breaking news, sports, politics and trending stories in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut. Mark joined the CBS New York team in 2019.
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Mark Prussin

/ CBS New York

Six Newark, New Jersey, firefighters were hurt and dozens of residents were displaced as a devastating fire ripped through multiple buildings overnight. 

Crews rushed to the scene on Jefferson Street, where the fire started at around 10:30 p.m. Friday and then spread to five buildings, officials said.

Fire tears through 5 buildings

Smoke detectors were heard screeching up and down the block when firefighters arrived. It took them hours to get the blaze under control, but not before at least half the city block was damaged. 

Witnesses said they first saw smoke billowing from 196 Jefferson St. and ran to alert families inside. By the time the building was evacuated, the flames were erupting from the top floor and spreading to neighboring buildings, they said. 

Six firefighters were later hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries, officials said. 

No residents were hurt, but over 60 were left without a place to stay.

The buildings contained a mix of apartments and storefronts.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Red Cross helping residents

Jackie Calva said she and her family lived in one of the damaged buildings for over 10 years.

"A lot of memories. I had my two kids here, my whole pregnancy here. I finished high school here. I started college here," she said. "I had my graduation party, my 18th, everything."

Residents were able to go back inside and grab whatever they could from the waterlogged buildings.

"There's barely anything inside. The roof is collapsed, everything. The ceilings, there's just wood," Calva said. "Electronics are damaged."

Freddy Sanchez, owner of the bakery Sabor Ambateño, said his business had been in the community for 25 years, and now they have to start all over again.

Residents are now figuring out next steps.

"I really hope that it's savable, it's fixable, and hopefully we'll go back eventually," Calva said. "You don't ever think it's you until it actually happens to you."

The Red Cross said it was assisting at least 15 families with "temporary lodging, food, clothing, and other immediate needs."

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