BAYONNE, New Jersey (WABC) -- A five-alarm fire in Bayonne, New Jersey on Friday, damaged at least three buildings and led to the evacuation of dozens of children from a nearby day care center.
The fire broke at a building located at 458 Avenue C around 11:40 a.m.
Firefighters arrived to find heavy fire in the rear of the building that spread to two neighboring buildings, 456 and 460 Avenue C.
Bayonne Fire Chief Keith Weaver said evacuations of the buildings included 59 children from the day care located in 460 and 462 Avenue C. As a precaution, all residents in neighboring buildings were also evacuated.
Weaver said firefighters used handlines and tower ladders to the fight the fire. They got it under control around 1:40 p.m.
No injuries were reported.
Bayonne fire officials also thanked Councilman Loyad Booker, who was driving by when he saw the smoke and called 911. They say he ran into the day care to alert the staff to evacuate the children, and assisted them into a nearby bank for safety.
The Red Cross is now helping a total of 16 occupants who have been displaced by the fire.
The cause is under investigation.
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