Six families were left homeless by a fire that destroyed a two-story building in Elizabeth, New Jersey, American Red Cross officials said Sunday.
The fire started at about 9 p.m. Saturday at an Elizabeth Avenue building that housed a business and apartments.
Residents, all of whom lived on the second floor, safely evacuated the building, the Red Cross said. The agency said it was providing temporary shelter, food, clothing and other assistance to 13 people who were rendered homeless.
An eyewitness told news reporters that an explosion preceded the fire. The blaze spread to neighboring buildings before firefighters brought it under control.
