Massive fire engulfs multiple buildings in Clifton, New Jersey
CLIFTON (WABC) -- A massive fire swept through three attached buildings on Dayton Avenue in Clifton Saturday night.
With flames swallowing the wood frame structures, there was little precious time for the people living in the second floor apartments to get out.
"All of a sudden, we heard a boom," said Robert Berlanga, "Jamar, we looked at each other and said 'it's do or die now!'
It was do or die for Army Veteran Robert Berlanga and his co-worker from the nightclub across the street. When they saw the night sky turn orange, they say they ran into the burning building before calling 911.
"When she opened the door, her bedroom was on fire already - 97 years old. I just picked her up and carried her out of the building," adds Berlanga.
However, Berlanga was not the only one who was saving lives.
"There was an occupant who was trapped, so we engaged in a rescue operation," said Deputy Fire Chief Michael Allora.
Clifton firefighters used a ground ladder to get to a second floor apartment and pull a 50-year-old man to safety.
"It didn't start inside the commercial occupancies, at least it doesn't appear that it did, but the wood frame structure of the buildings didn't help the situation," Allora added.
It took 60 firefighters to get things under control. The blaze left 20 people homeless. The American Red Cross said they are providing housing as well as cards for displaced residents to get some food and clothing.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation, but firefighters say it does not appear to be suspicious.
No one was seriously hurt.
