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Elizabeth, NJ, Fire Displaces About 40 People; Building Demolished

ELIZABETH, N.J. (CBSNewYork) -- A fire in Elizabeth on Saturday night has left as many as 40 people homeless after destroying several homes and businesses.

The fire was so intense that crews were tearing down what was left of the structure Sunday morning, CBS2's Ilana Gold reported.

Firefighters worked overnight in smothering smoke at Elizabeth Avenue and Morrell Street battling the blaze that tore though the three-story building, gutting apartments on the upper levels and businesses below.

Elizabeth Fire Displaces 40; Building Demolished

Business owner Ediaberta Rosiado rushed over as soon as she heard what happened, only to watch her vitamin shop burn up.

"I'm so sad for everybody, not only for me," she said. "It's a horrible thing. It's too many people."

Rosie Periera, who owned a driving school in the building for the past 10 years, broke down in tears after arriving at the site Sunday morning.

"I feel so sad," she said. "It's work for the whole life."

Deputy Fire Chief Lathey Wirkus told WCBS 880's Monica Miller the fire was reported around 9 p.m., and it grew to a four-alarm blaze within 20 minutes.

No one was injured. The businesses were closed, and residents who were home safely escaped.

Dozens were standing on the sidewalks looking at their apartments in disbelief.

"It was very intense," Wirkus said. "At that time of night, you wouldn't expect a fire of that magnitude. But these buildings are older. They have a lot of voids. The fire travels quickly."

He said the tenants got out just in time because the flames spread fast. Within a half-hour, the ceiling collapsed, and at one point the flames were too intense for the firefighters to handle.

"The floor started to sag, and I pulled the firefighters out immediately," Wirkus said. "And shortly thereafter, we had a collapse of the roof."

The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

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