By: Richard L. Smith
Newark firefighters battled a massive multi-alarm fire early Saturday morning that spread to several buildings near South 19th Street and Clinton Avenue, prompting assistance from neighboring Irvington.
The fire broke out shortly after 4 a.m. in the area of 937 South 19th Street, where arriving firefighters encountered two buildings heavily involved in flames.
The blaze quickly intensified, spreading to additional structures and forcing commanders to escalate the response to three alarms.
The building had been abandoned and was reportedly being occupied by loiterers and individuals experiencing homelessness.
Residents said they had filed several complaints about conditions at the property, but the city had yet to intervene. This is the second fire reported inside the structure.
Irvington firefighters also responded because of the fire’s proximity to the municipal border, bringing the operation to the equivalent of a fourth-alarm response.
During the height of the fire, crews received reports that two children might be trapped inside an occupied neighboring home at 941 South 19th Street.
Firefighters immediately conducted searches, and subsequent reports indicated that all occupants were accounted for.
Heavy fire continued to threaten surrounding buildings as crews stretched multiple large hose lines to protect exposures along South 20th Street.
Downed power lines complicated firefighting operations, and PSE&G was requested to respond on an expedited basis.
The original fire building, described as a 2½-story structure under construction, later suffered a partial collapse.
As of the latest early-morning reports, firefighters remained on the scene extinguishing hot spots and checking surrounding structures.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation.