8 Hudson County Families Displaced By Three Alarm Fire

A fire that spread through a multi-family Hudson County home Tuesday morning has displaced eight families, who are now being assisted by the American Red Cross.

The fire began at 5:30 a.m. behind the oven in the kitchen of a Weehawken home located at 93 Clifton Terrace, NJ.com reports. The three alarm fire went on to blaze through the pipe chase of the home, forcing the 17 individuals inside the four story house to evacuate, North Hudson Regional Fire and Rescue Deputy Chief Nick Gazzillo told NJ.com.

The American Red Cross is currently assisting 17 people – eight families who were displaced by the fire after officials asked the occupants to evacuate and opened the roof to stop the blaze from spreading.

The fire displaced 20 individuals. 17 people who made up eight families who were displaced by the fire have received Red Cross emergency assistance in the form of temporary lodging, food and clothing as needed. One family is currently out of town, the Red Cross reports.

A member of the Red Cross Disaster Action Team (DAT) responded to the scene to assist the affected families. A reception center was opened at a nearby senior center where families met with the Red Cross and received assistance.

No injuries were reported and fire officials investigating the blaze stated to NJ.com that the cause of the fire does not appear to be suspicious.

American Red Cross Responds to North Jersey Families in Crisis

Since Nov. 1, 2014, American Red Cross North Jersey Region DAT volunteers have responded to 38 home fires in the northern half of the state and have helped at least 124 displaced families – more than 400 people – with shelter, food, clothing and emotional support as needed.

All emergency assistance is free to those affected by disasters and is made possible through the donation of time by dedicated Red Cross volunteers and the generosity of the American public.

About the American Red Cross North Jersey Region 
The American Red Cross North Jersey Region provides programs and services throughout the counties of Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, Morris, Passaic, Somerset, Sussex, Union and Warren, with a combined population of 5.7 million.

The region trains and mobilizes more than 3,330 volunteers who support the delivery of services in the community. Last year, the Red Cross North Jersey Region responded to 494 local home fires, helping 1,130 displaced families; collected 25,420 units of blood through blood drives and Red Cross Blood Donation Centers; provided 1,877 military family case services with emergency messages, helping families find assistance and/or get counseling and referrals; and trained 60,441 individuals with life-saving skills in preparedness, CPR, AED use, first aid and aquatics. Follow the North Jersey Region on Twitter @RedCrossNorthNJ.