Crews rescued residents from upper floors as a fast-moving fire injured dozens and drew mutual aid from Orange, Bloomfield, Montclair, Irvington, Millburn and West Orange

By Rebecca Heath
nj.com

EAST ORANGE, N.J. — A large fire spread through an apartment building in East Orange on Sunday, injuring 38 and displacing residents of at least 30 units comprising 80 residents, city and rescue officials said.

The fire was reported at about 6:15 a.m. and firefighters made several rescues, Mayor Ted R. Green said in a statement later Sunday.

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“I want to commend and congratulate our East Orange firefighters for an extraordinary rescue effort under extremely dangerous conditions. Their quick action, skill, and courage saved lives, as firefighters used ladders to safely remove residents from the building. This was a powerful display of what public service looks like at its best,” Green said.

Two of the injured taken to local hospitals were firefighters, Green said.

The fire grew to three alarms and firefighters from Orange, Bloomfield, Montclair, Irvington, Millburn and West Orange responded to assist.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

A team of Red Cross volunteers responded shortly after 8 a.m. to assist the residents of the Washington Street building, said Diane Concannon, communications director for the New Jersey Red Cross .

The Red Cross responders and East Orange officials opened a reception center to provide displaced families with care, comfort and meals, Concannon said.

All residents of the building were displaced, she said.

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