EDISON – Two people suffered smoke inhalation and one person was minorly burned in a fire early Sunday at a Vista Drive apartment complex.
Mayor Sam Joshi said in a Facebook post eight apartments were destroyed and another eight sustained significant damage in the three-alarm fire off Woodbridge Avenue.
All the tenants in the building have been temporarily displaced, officials said.
The fire was reported around 4:50 a.m., according to a Facebook post from Edison NJ Firefighters IAFF Local 1197.
The post states that upon arriving at 21 Vista Drive firefighters found heavy fire at the rear of a two-story apartment building where Edison police were already on scene helping to evacuate residents.
An interior fire attack was initiated by the arriving engine companies before switching to a defensive attack, the post states.
The fire reached a third alarm which brought more engines, trucks and rescue vehicles to the scene. Multiple mutual aid companies were called to also provide coverage for the rest of the town.
According to Joshi, the Office of Emergency Management is working with the Red Cross to provide assistance to the displaced residents.
Members of the American Red Cross Disaster Action Team who responded to the scene worked with the township to set up a reception center at the Edison Township Senior Center on Woodbridge Avenue to bring the families inside during the chilly morning.
The fire heavily damaged many of the apartments and displaced all 72 residents of the 36-unit building, according to Diane Concannon, American Red Cross New Jersey Region communications director.
Concannon said many of the tenants have renters insurance that can help with temporary lodging needs. Red Cross volunteers have met with 19 families, 43 people, and provided emergency financial assistance for things like food, clothing and other immediate needs.
Red Cross caseworkers has reached out to, and will be meeting with, the other 14 families in the coming days. Red Cross Disaster Health Services, Disaster Mental Health Services and Spiritual Care Services are also available to the families.
She believes three of the units were vacant and there are approximately 72 people that resided in the building.
On Sunday the Red Cross provided lunch and had water and snacks available for the families. A Red Cross emergency response vehicle was also available at the scene with coffee, water, lunch and snacks for first responders battling the fire.
She said the Middlesex County Animal Response Team generously supplied one of the families with a bird cage, pet food, and bird toys for their two small parakeets.
The fire remains under investigation and is not considered suspicious, the mayor said.
Edison NJ Firefighters IAFF Local 1197 thanked the New Brunswick, Colonia, South Plainfield, East Brunswick, New Market and Sayreville fire departments for their assistance.
This story has been updated with new information
Email: srussell@gannettnj.com
Suzanne Russell is a breaking news reporter for MyCentralJersey.com covering crime, courts and other mayhem. To get unlimited access, please subscribe or activate your digital account today
Alice J. Roden started working for Trending Insurance News at the end of 2021. Alice grew up in Salt Lake City, UT. A writer with a vast insurance industry background Alice has help with several of the biggest insurance companies. Before joining Trending Insurance News, Alice briefly worked as a freelance journalist for several radio stations. She covers home, renters and other property insurance stories.