A fire that swept through several Jersey City buildings on Friday afternoon -- as the temperature neared 100 degrees -- left more than 40 firefighters suffering from heat exhausion and other injuries.
The fire broke out on Boyd Avenue as tempertures made it feel like it was 108 degrees, according to the Jersey City Journal.
Thirteen firefighters from Jersey City were taken to Jersey City Medical Center, a hospital spokesman said. One was treated for an ankle injury while 12 were examined for heat exhaustion or smoke inhalation. A Bayonne firefighter was taken to another hospital for unspecified injuries.
"The fire originated in the basement and quickly climbed up to the attic," Deputy Chief Charles Donahue told WABC.
The fire spread to two other three-story, multi-family dwellings before being contained.
The fire reached four alarms.
Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop told WABC "Four alarm fire while it's (hot) outside, heat exhaustion and ankle injuries, thankfully no fatalities, but you just want to be out here supporting these guys."
