Fire crews from Hudson County battled two large-scale fires late Thursday, one in West New York and another in Union City, according to reports.
According to News 12, one of the fires occurred at an apartment building on Madison and 54th Street in West New York. According to fire photographer Ron Jeffers, crews found people on an upper fire escape upon arrival. The fire was reportedly a basement fire that extended through the walls of the building, eventually getting into the top floor and cockloft.
There were two reported Maydays during the fire. One member became disoriented in the thick smoke; in another Mayday, the first-floor hallway floor gave way, dropped two members into the cellar. Both were reportedly pulled out and were okay, although one member was later transported.
The second fire reportedly occurred nearby at a Salvation Army thrift store, located at 900 John F. Kennedy Boulevard. As the first fire was going on, an explosion and fire at the Salvation Army store. North Hudson and mutual aid units responded to this fire, and found heavy fire in the rear of the building, which had a truss roof which eventually collapsed.
Crews responded from various municipalities: Jersey City, Hoboken, Kearny, Harriosn, Bayonne, and Secaucus, in addition to North Hudson companies.
Hudson County is opposite the island of Manhattan along the Hudson River, and New York City officials issued a smoke notification to residents.
West New York Fire
Union City Fire
