Newark House Fire Sends Smoke Billowing Into Sky

NEWARK, NJ — A large house fire on South Orange Avenue and Telford Street in Newark sent smoke billowing into the sky on Monday.

Newark authorities said that the city's Fire Division responded to a two-alarm blaze at 62 Telford Avenue around 5 p.m. The building, an abandoned two story wood framed structure, was brought under control after approximately 40 minutes, although firefighters continued to douse the structure with water, Newark authorities said.

The Newark Department of Public Safety released the following statement on Monday evening:

"While battling the fire, one firefighter fell through the floor resulting in a mayday. He was quickly rescued and continued to fight the fire. The firefighter was not injured during the ordeal. There were no reported injuries resulting from the fire with only minor damage to neighboring 64 Telford Avenue. After an assessment of the residence was conducted, due to smoke and water damage, two families consisting of three adults and seven children were relocated by the American Red Cross."

The origins and cause of the fire are currently under investigation by the Essex County Prosecutor Office and Newark Fire Division Arson Squads.

File Photo: Wikimedia