Twelve families are homeless after a massive New Jersey blaze consumed their buildings Tuesday night.
The blaze started in a three-story rowhouse on Monroe Avenue near Fairmont Avenue at about 8:30 p.m. It spread quickly to adjoining buildings and at one point reached five alarms before firefighters contained it.
Three homes were involved in the blaze, two of which collapsed overnight. The cause of the fire is under investigation.
All buildings on the block were evacuated, and several people were taken to the hospital for smoke inhalation. One firefighter was treated for a shoulder injury. Another was treated for a back injury. All injuries were considered minor.
All fire departments in Elizabeth were on the scene, and another 16 companies offered mutual aid, according to Mayor J. Christian Bollwage.
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