4 firefighters hurt in partial collapse as blaze rips through Newark houses

Four firefighters were hospitalized and 14 families were displaced after a massive fire tore through three residential buildings in Newark overnight, city officials said.
Firefighters responded to an unoccupied building on Seymour Avenue minutes before midnight Friday and the blaze quickly extended to two occupied buildings, according to Newark Public Safety Director Emanuel Miranda.
Four firefighters were injured by a partial collapse at the rear of one of the occupied buildings, Miranda said. Three of them were released from University Hospital by 2:45 p.m. Saturday, but a unit captain remained hospitalized, a city official said.
The fire was brought under control at 2:45 a.m. and no other injuries were reported.
Fourteen families, including 19 adults and 11 children, were displaced by the blaze, Miranda said.
The American Red Cross provided help to 34 people affected by the fire, the group said on social media. The displaced residents were given temporary lodging, food and clothing.
The cause and origin of the fire remains under investigation, Miranda said.
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Matt Gray may be reached at [email protected].