Neighbors say squatters lived in Jersey City building that went up in flames, injured 8 firefighters
JERSEY CITY, New Jersey (WABC) -- Neighbors said squatters were living inside the building that burned in a Jersey City fire and left eight firefighters injured.
The fire started in a building on 4th Street just after 2:15 a.m. and spread to buildings on both sides.
The structure went up in a large ball of flames.
At least eight firefighters were injured and taken to the hospital.
The city said back in April, fire inspectors came to one of the burned-down buildings and started issuing violations to the owner of the building. The owner never turned up in court. The fines were up to $6,00 and counting.
"I looked out the window and I saw the building next door was on fire so I said we gotta get out of here right away. By the time we got outside the fire department was already here and I think that's what saved our building from being worse off," Brian Blazak said.
Those who lived in the neighborhood say the wood-frame buildings at 319 and 321 4th Street were being used by squatters.
"That's one million percent true. One million percent, I knew the guy that lived in there, I hope he's OK. Young homeless kid maybe 25 to 30 years old , but he had his bikes over there, he had a whole apartment over there," neighbor Rob Meyer said.
The owner of the vacant buildings purchased the property three months ago and says an inspection found no signs that someone was illegally living in the property.
"I heard other people say that right now from the fire department but we recounted with both neighbors we were here a couple of times, the building was boarded up completely, the back and the front. We were here a couple of times we were not aware of any squatters in the building," owner Sam Vogel said.
The blaze was so intense the two main buildings involved in the fire collapsed.
A third building was still standing but was badly damaged.
8 neighboring tenants were displaced and a long cleanup effort is now underway.
"We had several members go to the medical center due to injuries. I can't report what it is just yet, but I know we've had at least six members go to the hospital due to injuries that are fire-related," said John Collins, Jersey City Fire Union President.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
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