By: Richard L. Smith
Firefighters battled a fast-moving second-alarm blaze Friday evening that tore through a multi-story residential building in Jersey City, forcing occupants to evacuate as flames spread from the lower levels to the roof.
Emergency crews were dispatched shortly after 5:14 p.m. to 85 Armstrong Avenue after receiving reports of a working fire with possible occupants trapped inside.
According to officials, Battalion 2 arrived to find fire showing from the first floor of the three-story wood-frame building.
A second alarm was quickly transmitted after flames extended through the rear of the structure and into the upper floors and roof.
Firefighters conducted an aggressive interior attack while ladder companies opened the roof for ventilation.
Officials later confirmed that all occupants had safely escaped the building, and a personnel accountability report (PAR) verified that every firefighter was accounted for.
During the incident, crews also removed two dogs from the residence. Dispatches indicated the animals required CPR after being rescued.
By approximately 5:55 p.m., the fire was declared under control as firefighters continued extensive overhaul operations to extinguish remaining hot spots.
Officials reported that no arson investigators were immediately available Friday evening, and the Regional Arson Task Force (RATF) is expected to continue the investigation into the cause of the fire Saturday morning.
No immediate reports of civilian or firefighter injuries were released. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.