Newark

Firefighter Critically Injured Battling Newark Inferno

A firefighter was critically injured while battling a large fire at a tire shop in Newark, police said.

Dozens of firefighters responded to the fire after it broke out shortly after 9 p.m. Saturday at Velez Tire Shop, near Park and Bloomfield avenues, on an especially frigid winter night.

Paul Leber, 38, became disoriented as he was exiting the burning building and members of Engine 7 and Rescue 1 went back into the building with other firefighters and rescued him. 

Leber was listed in critical condition at University Hospital Saturday before being moved to Jacobi Medical Center. 

He is a 10-year veteran of the fire department, police said. 

The fire was brought under control shortly after 11 p.m. Arson detectives from the Newark Fire Division are investigating the cause of the fire. 

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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