New Jersey

‘Very Emotional': Families Displaced in Christmas Eve Fire at New Jersey Apartment Complex

What to Know

  • Ten families are temporarily homeless on Christmas Eve after a fire tore through their apartment complex in New Jersey
  • It's not clear what caused the blaze at 82 Cedar Lane in Highland Park Monday around 4 p.m.
  • The investigation into the cause of the fire is currently underway

Ten families are temporarily homeless on Christmas Eve after a fire tore through their apartment complex in New Jersey. 

It's not clear what caused the blaze at 82 Cedar Lane in Highland Park Monday around 4 p.m., but officials said around 30 people have been displaced. 

Residents and neighbors heard the fire alarms go off and were able to escape safely as firefighters rushed to the scene to get the blaze under control.

"It is very emotional being here," James Polos, director of the Highland Park Office of Emergency Management, said. "You're in borderline tears, looking at these people who have lost so much tonight and have to be displaced."

The fire was so extensive that smoke could be seen for miles. Damage of the fire was visible on the charred second floor and roof of the apartment complex.

While looking at the damage, and although many poeple lost their belongings, neighbors say they are thankful everyone is safe.

"You hear about this a lot -- it happens every year. It's sad," neighbor David Wescott told NBC 4 New York. "This is the first time it has happened so close to me. The shock factor was definitely there."

Wescott's apartment is OK, but he says the event has left him shaken and was a "wake up call" for him to get renter's insurance. 

The investigation into the cause of the fire is currently underway.

Meanwhile, the Red Cross says it's assisting the displaced families with emergency financial assistance for food and clothing needs.

The landlord also helped out the families that were displaced by lodging them in area hotels at least for a night.

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