Bayonne fire leaves 2 firefighters hurt, several homeless

BAYONNE, New Jersey (WABC) -- Several people are homeless after a fire overnight in Bayonne.

The five-alarm fire, reported around 1:30 a.m. Saturday, was in two buildings, at Avenue C and West 20th Street in Bayonne.

Both are mixed-use buildings. One of the buildings has a laundromat on the ground floor with apartments above.

Heavy flames broke through the roof.

Two firefighters were injured by falling debris after part of an exterior wall collapsed, but they are expected to recover. They were taken to Jersey City Medical Center. Firefighters from Hudson and Essex counties assisted in fighting the blaze.

It was under control by 5 a.m. Fourteen families, including 45 people, were displaced.

The American Red Cross opened a shelter at Bayonne High School at 667 Avenue A in Bayonne for families displaced by the fire. Members of the Red Cross Disaster Action Team (DAT) responded to the scene.

The cause of the fire is undetermined.