Officials: Fire destroys 2 Leonia condo complex buildings; 34 displaced
Firefighters who were first on the scene say they found heavy smoke and flames pouring out of both buildings.
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A large fire in Leonia destroyed two buildings at a condominium complex and displaced more than 30 people.
It started at 8:30 a.m. Friday, sending people running from their homes to flee the flames.
Firefighters who were first on the scene say they found heavy smoke and flames pouring out of both buildings. Several ladder trucks were needed to shoot water into the roofs in order to get it under control.
The Leonia fire chief says they are still working on determining a cause, but they do know where it started.
“Apparently, it started in the garage and fortunately everyone was evacuated the building," said Chief John Dunn. "There was a door left open which allowed the fire to advance into the apartment.”
Dunn said no one was injured, and that each building held eight units. He also confirmed what many residents had also told News 12 - that high winds in the courtyard running between the two buildings pushed the flames from one building to another.
Both suffered severe fire, smoke and water damage. The American Red Cross says 34 people from 10 families are out of their homes.
Some of the firefighters were retrieving personal items for those who lived at in the buildings, including family photos and mementos. Some residents were also able to go back into the building by themselves to retrieve some items.
One resident told News 12 that her unit was destroyed. She says that her landlord was assisting her with several nights in a hotel.
Officials say that the buildings are a total loss. Crews began demolishing the rubble Friday evening.
"The structure is very unstable," said Dunn. "For the safety of residents, it needed to come down."
The empty lot on Grand Avenue is now full of debris.
Officials say that a dog and a cat living in the building have gone missing. Anyone who might find them is urged to call Leonia police at 201-944-0800.
