By: Richard L. Smith
A fast-moving four-alarm fire tore through a residential building in Union City Saturday afternoon, leaving one person dead and triggering a large-scale emergency response.
The blaze broke out around 3:40 p.m. in the 3800 block of Bergen Turnpike, where arriving crews encountered heavy fire conditions.
Preliminary reports indicate the flames began in a garage and quickly spread to a three-family home.
Firefighters stretched multiple hose lines and worked aggressively to contain the fire as flames were visible from several blocks away.
Officials escalated the response, striking third and fourth alarms to bring in additional manpower.
During the operation, one individual was located inside the structure suffering fatal injuries.
The victim’s identity has not yet been released.
The Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office has responded to the scene and is leading the investigation into the cause of the fire.
Officials said the blaze was brought under control in under an hour. No firefighter injuries were reported.