Watch CBS News

Bayonne Fire Spreads To Multiple Buildings

BAYONNE, N.J. (CBSNewYork) -- A fire burned several buildings in Bayonne, New Jersey Tuesday evening, forcing people out into the freezing cold.

As CBS2's Tracee Carrasco reported, bright orange flames shot from the roof of two buildings at 743 and 745 Broadway, between East 34th and West 33rd streets late Tuesday. The buildings housed businesses on the ground floors and apartments on the upper floors.

Crews from several municipalities worked to douse the flames from the ground. They arrived at the scene at 4:30 p.m. and remained at 11 p.m. -- next to the ruins of the two buildings.

A third building was also damaged.

"We basically had companies fighting this fire from the front on Broadway, fighting it from the back of the building, over fences -- every possible way that we could surround it to prevent the fire from extending any further," said Bayonne Fire Chief Greg Rogers.

Firefighters also battled the elements, as black ice formed along the streets where water fell and salt was later brought in.

Crews eventually spread salt along the street.

"I can't tell you how many guys went down on the ice," Rogers said. "There's black ice pretty much everywhere."

The gusting winds also made the fire difficult to contain.

"This thing could have really took off and took the whole block with it," Rogers said.

When the fire started, two children were thought to be inside. But officials told CBS2 everyone was accounted for -- including Karen Alvarengo's dog Milly.

"I was at work and then I just got a phone call from my mom crying her heart out, saying that the building was on fire, and I got scared, because I don't care if everything gets on fire but at least save my dog," Alvarengo said.

Firefighters rescued the 5-year-old miniature poodle stuck inside Alvarengo's third-story apartment.

"We kept claiming that she was in there," Alvarengo said.

A deli and clock shop were located in the bottom floors of the two buildings. The residents of the apartments above -- some without jackets -- could only watch as their homes burned.

There were no reports of injuries.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.