NEWARK, N.J.-- Firefighters spent hours chasing a stubborn electrical fire that worked its way through a high-rise senior citizens building in Newark, N.J., this morning, prompting the evacuation of about 100 residents.
The second-alarm fire broke out on the lower floors of the Seth Boyden Elderly Houses at 46 Evergreen Avenue just before 1 a.m. and spread up the building. Firefighters were sent to individual floors searching for the fire, which spread through the electrical system, causing smoke damage in many hallways.
Numerous elderly residents, many on oxygen or in wheelchairs, complained of being trapped in their smoky apartments and had to be rescued. Some of the residents needed oxygen, but none sustained serious injury. Eight were taken to the hospital for shortness of breath.
NJ Transit sent one bus to shelter the elderly residents until housing was arranged. They were then to be brought to the nearby Dayton Street School. About 100 senior citizens were evacuated, and many needed housing from the Red Cross.
The 15-story high-rise building was built in 1968.
Copyright 2007 by WABC-TV.
Republished with permission of WABC-TV.
