Fire in Newark displaces dozens of people, destroys businesses
Officials say 39 people – including eight children – were forced out of their homes.
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A fire near Broadway and Delavan Avenue in Newark displaced nearly 40 people and destroyed some businesses in the area.
Officials say the fire began inside 576 Broadway – the location of Royal Supermarket – around 7 p.m. Monday. They say 39 people – including eight children – were forced out of their homes.
“There was a third floor on this [building] and that third floor is gone completely,” says Marilyn Torres.
Torres’s father owns Tony’s Liquor. She says she was born and raised in the community and her family is now hurting after losing their business and homes.
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“Both my aunts were affected by this. They both don’t have homes right now,” she says.
The residents say the fire spread very quickly to nearby buildings.
“It spread really fast to the second floor and then it went up to the third floor so my dad, he left the apartment with no shoes on,” says Gerardy Cabrera.
The American Red Cross is helping the residents who were displaced. The business owners say they are hopeful they can rebuild.
“I don’t know when or how soon, but we definitely will,” says Torres.
Officials say one firefighter suffered burns on his neck and chest.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
