Massive Newark Inferno: 4 Firefighters Injured, 34 Residents Displaced as Abandoned Building Blaze Engulfs Neighborhood – The blaze, which began in an abandoned building on Seymour Avenue, rapidly spread to neighboring occupied homes, highlighting critical safety concerns. The Yonkers work injury lawyers at Markhoff & Mittman, P.C. stress the urgency of addressing vacant property hazards and enforcing stringent building codes. They point out that property owners and city officials may face liability for neglecting safety measures, potentially contributing to such devastating incidents.
Massive Fire in Newark Leaves Dozens Homeless, Firefighters Injured
A devastating fire erupted in Newark, New Jersey, late Friday night, November 15, 2024, causing extensive damage to multiple homes and displacing nearly three dozen residents. The blaze, which began in an unoccupied building on Seymour Avenue, quickly escalated to a three-alarm fire and spread to neighboring occupied residences.
Firefighters Battle Flames and Building Collapse
Emergency responders arrived at the scene just before midnight, confronting a rapidly intensifying situation. As they fought to contain the fire, a partial building collapse occurred, resulting in injuries to four firefighters. All injured personnel were transported to University Hospital and are reported to be in stable condition.
The fire department managed to bring the blaze under control by 2:45 a.m. on Saturday, after a grueling battle lasting nearly three hours.
Residents Recount Harrowing Escape
One resident described the terrifying moments as the fire spread: “I was so scared. I came down the stairs and literally right by my windows, next to the abandoned house, I’m seeing the flames hit the windows as I’m coming down the stairs. I lost everything, but as long as I’m OK and my son is OK, then that’s everything.”
Alhassane Cisse, whose family had lived in one of the affected homes for over a decade, returned in the morning to find only a single burned suitcase salvageable among the ruins. “You know, you building something, one day like that to see everything is destroyed in front of you, it’s very sad,” Cisse remarked.
Massive Fire Aftermath and Displacement
Newark Fire Chief Dell Ortiz confirmed that 14 families have been displaced due to the fire. The American Red Cross is currently assisting at least 34 individuals affected by the disaster.
Varum Malik, the property manager of the initially affected building, stated that the structure had been vacant for years. Plans were underway to renovate the property, with permit approvals in process. Malik expressed confusion about how the fire started in the unoccupied building.
Investigation and Demolition
Officials have announced that the damaged buildings will need to be demolished due to the extent of the destruction. The Newark Department of Public Safety’s Arson Unit is conducting an investigation to determine the cause of the fire.
As the community grapples with the aftermath of this tragic event, authorities continue their efforts to support the displaced residents and uncover the circumstances that led to this devastating blaze.
Fire-Related Injuries in New York and New Jersey: A Call for Increased Safety
In New York, fire departments reported significant casualties in 2022, with 80% of fire-related deaths and 91.4% of injuries occurring in structure fires. The state’s injury rate in residential fires was 15.6 per 1,000 incidents, surpassing the national average of 6.4. New Jersey faces similar challenges, as evidenced by recent incidents like the Newark fire that injured four firefighters and displaced 34 residents.
The injury attorneys at Markhoff & Mittman, P.C. are committed to supporting families affected by these tragic incidents. We advocate for improved safety measures and stand ready to assist victims and their families in seeking rightful compensation. Our legal team’s expertise in work-related injuries, particularly those involving first responders, ensures that those impacted by fire-related accidents receive the support and representation they need during these challenging times.
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Brian Mittman, the Managing Partner and Owner at Markhoff & Mittman, P.C., embodies the spirit of "An Unexpected Legal Experience" in both his personal and professional life. With unwavering dedication, Brian tirelessly advocates for the rights of injured and disabled individuals in New York.
