Safety Review Continues In Wake Of Newark Apartment Building Fire

NEWARK, NJ — Authorities continue to look at what went wrong – and how it could be prevented in the future – after a fire recently left dozens of residents at an apartment building in Newark without a home for the holiday.

A transformer fire knocked out power at 920 Franklin Avenue and the surrounding area on Nov. 23. The building was evacuated in the wake of the incident. Authorities said 87 residents were displaced, just days before the Thanksgiving holiday.

In the wake of the fire, the Newark Housing Authority (NHA) – which owns the property – said it has been “working tirelessly” to aid the 39 affected families.

On the Monday evening following the fire, all impacted families were temporarily housed in a hotel accommodated with kitchenettes to provide comfort during the holiday period. Additionally, each family received gift cards valued at $250 from the NHA and $350 from the American Red Cross to assist with their immediate needs.

Power has been restored to the building and residents were cleared to return to their homes on Nov. 27, with the exception of a few units that required minor soot cleaning, the NHA reported.

“The safety of our residents is our highest priority,” the NHA stated. “As we continue addressing the aftermath of this incident, we are also taking steps to ensure such situations are prevented in the future. This includes closely collaborating with utility providers (PSE&G) and conducting a comprehensive review of safety protocols.”

“We appreciate the support and understanding from the community, city leadership, and partner organizations during this challenging time,” the NHA added.

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