Massive Plainfield Fire Destroys 1 House, Leaves 3 Families Displaced
PLAINFIELD, N.J. (CBSNewYork) -- An intense fire ripped through three homes early Thursday morning in Plainfield, destroying one.
The fire started around 2 a.m. in the attic of 604 E. Second St., fire officials said.
"Within seconds, the house across the street was engulfed in fire," neighbor Susie Bourdouvales told CBS2's Janelle Burrell. "It took just a second. ... All you see is a big ball of fire."
No one was home at the house where the blaze began. But the flames spread to the two homes on either side of it.
About 80 firefighters responded to the blaze.
"When the (fire) companies pulled up, we had one house fully involved and extending to two other occupied exposures," said Plainfield fire Chief Jeffery Courtney.
"It went from roof to roof," Bourdouvales said. "It started from the roof, and then it went down."
Investigators said everyone was able to get out safely.
Veronica Roach, whose family has lived in the house where the fire started, was unable to control her sobs Thursday. Her family has lived in the house for 56 years -- her 88-year-old father still lived there.
The house, which was gutted by flames, was the first place she called home.
"Six of us -- five girls and one boy. When they (her parents) moved into this house, my mother was pregnant with me," Roach said.
The cause of the fire is under investigation. Once firefighters wrap up their probe, what's left of the Roaches' house will be torn down. The family said they're not sure if they'll rebuild.
One of the other homes was left with so much water and smoke damage that the family won't be allowed back. The siding on the third house melted off.
The families that have been displaced are staying with relatives.
