One resident was killed and 175 others were displaced when a fire broke out at a New Jersey retirement community Wednesday evening, officials say.
The fire broke out in a single room at the Somerville Senior Citizens Housing complex about 7 p.m., according to Somerville Mayor Brian Gallagher. The fire was snuffed out quickly but the first three floors were damaged, and the building had to be evacuated.
The identity of the resident who died wasn’t immediately available. It’s not clear where or how that person was killed.
Most of the people who were forced out were able to stay with friends and family, Gallagher said, but the Red Cross placed 20 other residents in a local hotel.
The cause of the fire is unknown at this time.
