Fire Rips Through Historic Mansion In Newark (VIDEO)

NEWARK, NJ — A vacant, historic mansion in Newark partially collapsed during a fire last week, temporarily trapping a group of firefighters. Several homeless people who were reportedly squatting in the building at the time were left without a place to stay, and two firefighters were hurt while battling the blaze.

The three-alarm fire took place on the evening of Oct. 18 at 176 Clinton Avenue, otherwise known as the Kastner Mansion. The 32-room house, built in 1892, originally belonged to Franz Kastner, one of the city's prosperous brewers, back when Newark was a major American beer-making center.

A New Jersey preservation group previously named the Victorian-era mansion as one of the state’s “most endangered historic sites.”

• See related article: A Historic Home In Newark Is In Peril

According to the Newark Department of Public Safety, the fire started around 7:50 p.m. on the top floor of the building. Fire officials upgraded the situation to a second alarm at 8:04 p.m., with a third alarm sounding at 8:36 p.m.

A group of firefighters were temporarily trapped when a part of the first-floor ceiling gave way, but they rescued themselves, authorities said.

One firefighter suffered an eye injury; another firefighter’s knee was injured, authorities said.

Members of the Bloomfield and Elizabeth fire departments responded to render mutual aid during the blaze, which continued to smolder for four hours before being put under control just before midnight.

The potential demolition of the structure will be determined based on its structural soundness, Newark officials said. The Newark Arson Unit is investigating the cause and origin of this fire.

Local videographer Jeff Stang posted the below video taken at the scene.

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