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Families Evacuated After Car Slams Into Plainfield, NJ Building

PLAINFIELD, N.J. (CBSNewYork) -- More than a dozen people have been left homeless after a car slammed into the side of a building in Plainfield, causing significant damage.

It happened around 10 p.m. Wednesday at the intersection of Watchung Avenue and East 2nd Street.

Police said a Toyota Camry crashed into the storefront of a tax office on the southeast corner of the building. Witness cell phone video moments after the crash showed debris and glass scattered all over the sidewalk.

The driver suffered minor injuries and was taken to an area hospital.

Police said the crash damaged the storefront and the building's structure. Officials determined the building wasn't safe to re-enter and the building was condemned until repairs can be made.

A man who operates a shuttle service out of the tax office came to work Thursday morning and saw the damage for the first time.

"I just found all the glass all on the floor, so I don't know what happened," he told CBS2's Janelle Burrell.

About 20 people from three families who live in apartments above the crash site were forced to evacuate. Police said the residents were relocated to a hotel by the landlord.

No other injuries were reported.

It's still unclear what caused the driver to crash. The investigation is ongoing.

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