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Twenty-two families were displaced by a fire that tore through a motel in Union County, according to the Red Cross.
Crews responded early in the morning to 178 Spring St. in Elizabeth. Authorities say the flames began on the second floor of the hotel and eventually made its way to a five-alarm fire.
The motel doubles as a place where residents live on either a short or possibly long-term basis, News 12 sources say.
The flames were knocked down just before 7 a.m., according to fire officials.
There was a partial collapse in the hotel, but did not appear that the building was a total loss.
Authorities say one person was sent to the hospital to be treated for smoke inhalation and two firefighters sustained minor injuries. A puppy was also provided oxygen at the scene.
A fire marshal is currently working to determine the cause of the fire.
The Red Cross is assisting those that have been displaced. The families were bused over to a community center in the city.
“Our disaster volunteers are here helping to keep them comfortable,” said New Jersey Red Cross Communications Manager Sheri Ferreira. “We will work with them with food over the next few days and if they need a shelter set up, we will certainly do that.”
