By: Tracie Carter
Firefighters in Jersey City brought a fast-moving early-morning fire under control Tuesday after flames damaged a residential building in the Heights section of the city.
The fire broke out shortly before 3:40 a.m. at a two-story dwelling in the 200 block of Baldwin Avenue.
Responding crews found heavy fire burning in the rear of the structure that quickly extended to the rear deck.
Firefighters stretched multiple hose lines and aggressively attacked the blaze, reporting water on the fire within minutes.
Officials said the bulk of the fire was largely contained to the exterior of the building, preventing more extensive damage.
Primary searches of the first, second, and third floors were completed and no occupants were found inside. EMS evaluated one woman who suffered a foot injury. Firefighters also received reports of a missing cat from a first-floor apartment while crews continued overhaul operations.
The blaze caused heat damage to a neighboring two-story home, including melted siding on the exposure building.
By approximately 3:54 a.m., the fire was declared under control as firefighters remained on scene extinguishing hot spots and conducting extensive overhaul operations.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation.