Off-duty Jersey City firefighter spots blaze, helps evacuate 2 buildings

Tuesday, January 21, 2020
JERSEY CITY, New Jersey (WABC) -- A Jersey City firefighter is being hailed as a hero after he spotted a fire on his way to work and, after calling it in, immediately began to help residents.

The flames broke out at building on Orient Avenue just before 7:45 a.m. and quickly spread to an adjacent building.
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The off-duty firefighter, Keneyada Thompson, spotted smoke spewing from the rooftops and jumped into action, helping evacuate both buildings.

As a result, no injuries were reported. Sadly, though, many were left homeless by the blaze.

The 21-year veteran of the department says helping people is just what he does.

"I always try to look out for others if I can help them, whether somebody needs medical help, I'll do that, I call if I see a fire, I try to help people out in that way, whether I'm on duty or off duty," Thompson said.
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Bruce Springsteen's son Sam Springfield, who was sworn in with the most recent graduating class last week, was among those who responded to the fire.



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