By: Tracie Carter
Jersey City firefighters responded early Thursday morning to a multi-alarm blaze that tore through a building and spread to two nearby structures, injuring six firefighters and causing significant property damage.
The fire broke out shortly before 2:15 a.m. at 319 4th Street. Upon arrival, fire crews encountered a three-story building fully engulfed in flames.
The fire rapidly extended to adjacent residences, prompting officials to quickly escalate the response to a second and then third alarm.
Firefighters stretched multiple hose lines and began working to bring the intense flames under control while simultaneously attempting to search the affected structures for trapped or injured occupants.
Heavy fire caused substantial damage to two neighboring homes. Fortunately, no residents were injured during the incident.
The primary fire building, which was reported unoccupied, partially collapsed due to the intensity of the flames. The blaze was brought under control in just over an hour.
Six firefighters sustained non-life-threatening injuries and were transported to the hospital for treatment.
The cause of the fire remains under active and ongoing investigation by fire officials.