Six people, including two police officers, injured in Perth Amboy fire

PERTH AMBOY - Six people, including two police officers, were injured in a July 3 afternoon Water Street apartment building fire that destroyed the 149-year-old Queen Anne-style structure.

Eight families were left temporarily homeless, just as the city was preparing for its annual July 4th fireworks display.

One person, described by city officials as "a beloved community member," was taken to the hospital in serious condition due to respiratory burns, and is now in stable condition.

The two police officers were treated for smoke inhalation and released, city officials said.

Fueled by strong winds off the waterfront, the fire spread throughout the building, forcing the structure to be demolished, officials said.

Around 5:23 p.m. July 3 Perth Amboy's fire and police departments were sent to 61-63 Water St. on a report of a house fire. Due to the adjacent fireworks festival, units arrived quickly at the scene.

The fire heavily involved the front side of the 8-unit apartment building, according to city officials.

Police officers rescued four people trapped on the upper floors at the rear of the building while firefighters fought the blaze.

With the intense fire and structural collapses, firefighters transitioned to a defensive operation.

The fire was extinguished after about five hours. Emergency demolition was necessary to locate and extinguish some deep pockets of fire and then the site was excavated.

The eight families displaced by the fire are being assisted by the city's relocation team and the American Red Cross, city officials said.

"Our hearts and prayers go out to the families affected by the fire on Water Street. During this challenging time, we stand united as a city," Mayor Helmin Caba said in a Facebook post.

"The city is keeping everyone affected by this tragedy in our prayers," city officials said in a statement, which also acknowledged the quick response of police, firefighters, and other first responders including Hackensack Meridian Health JFK EMS and the Hopelawn Fire Department.

City officials said the fire scene has been fenced and secured for the fire investigation in which multiple agencies will be investigating the origin and cause of the fire. No date has been set for that work to begin.

A GoFundMe.com page called Support for my Parents Perth Amboy Fire Victims, created by Patrick Horan of the Avenel section of Woodbridge is looking to raise $5,000 for his mother and stepfather who were able to escape the burning building with the clothes on their back but no other belongings.

The cause of the fire is currently undetermined.

Anyone with video footage of the fire is asked to contact the Perth Amboy Fire Investigation Unit at 732-324-3500 or the Perth Amboy Police Department at 732-324-3800.

Email: srussell@gannettnj.com

Suzanne Russell is a breaking news reporter for MyCentralJersey.com covering crime, courts and other mayhem. To get unlimited access, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.