By: Richard L. Smith
Firefighters battled a fast-moving two-alarm fire that spread to multiple homes in The Town of Harrison early Friday morning, with emergency crews reporting two possible civilian victims and firefighter.
The fire broke out shortly after 2:25 a.m. in the 300 block of North 5th Street. Initial reports indicated flames were showing from the first floor of a two-family home before quickly extending into neighboring buildings.
Incident commanders upgraded the response to a second alarm as firefighters worked to contain heavy fire that spread into adjacent structures.
Multiple mutual aid departments including East Newark, Kearny and Jersey City responded to assist, while additional companies were assigned to provide citywide coverage.
According to initial reports, firefighters brought the main body of the fire under control by approximately 3:30 a.m., but crews continued operating in neighboring buildings to extinguish remaining hot spots.
Emergency medical personnel initially requested assistance for at least one civilian suffering a medical condition and a Kearny firefighter. As of 4:30 a.m., the conditions of the person have not been confirmed.
PSE&G was requested to the scene to cut utility service while firefighters continued overhaul operations.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation.