By: Jeff Sommes
Firefighters in Elizabeth battled a multi-alarm blaze Thursday evening that tore through the attic of a three-story residential building, prompting mutual aid from neighboring communities.
According to initial reports, crews arrived at the home located on Mary Street and Adams Avenue shortly after 5:15 p.m. and reported a working fire with firefighters stretching hose lines and forcing entry into the structure.
As conditions worsened, incident commanders upgraded the response to a second alarm at approximately 5:17 p.m. after reporting heavy fire in the attic and concerns that flames could spread to nearby buildings.
Firefighters launched an aggressive interior attack , and by 5:36 p.m., command reported that exterior hose lines had been shut down as crews prepared to make another push inside the building.
A third alarm was transmitted at approximately 5:38 p.m., bringing additional firefighters to the scene, including mutual aid companies from Union County.
Less than 10 minutes later, command advised that the fire had been placed under control.
No immediate reports of injuries were available.
The extent of damage to the building and the cause of the fire were not immediately known.
Authorities are continuing to investigate.