Oct 8, 2007 8:36 pm US/Eastern
Fire Rages Atop Jersey City Building
4-Alarm Blaze Burning Downward, Collapse Feared
JERSEY CITY (AP) ―
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Fire raged out of control on a high-rise building under construction in Jersey City on Oct. 8. No injuries were reported, but early reports said fire officials feared a possible collapse.
CBS
Fire broke out Monday night near the top of a high-rise luxury condominium building under construction in Jersey City.
Dozens of firefighters were battling the blaze, which began in an elevator well between the 17th and 18th floors at the 77 Hudson Street construction site.
Firefighters arrived at the scene shortly before 9 p.m.
There were no reports of injuries, but authorities evacuated some nearby residents as a precaution and service on the Hudson Bergen Light Rail line was disrupted.
Flames could be seen across the Hudson River in Manhattan.
It was not clear how long it would be until the fire could be contained.
Firefighters had trouble reaching the fire, partly because the building's standpipe, or source of water, was activated only up to the 14th floor, said Fire Director Armando Roman.
The fire quickly accelerated, feeding on lumber being used to frame interior areas of the upper floors. The cause was not immediately known.
Falling debris also made it dangerous for firefighters to be inside the structure, and they fought the flames from the top of tower ladders on fire trucks.
The building's steel and concrete construction helped limit most of the damage to the two upper floors and the building itself was in no danger of collapse.
The building, which is to include commercial space as well as a 48-story condominium tower, is being built by K. Hovnanian homes and Equity Residential. Occupancy is slated for the summer of 2009.
(© 2009 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
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