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May 11, 2008 11:17 pm US/Eastern
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Fast Moving Fire Destroys 2 Jersey City Homes
No Major Injuries Reported In Multi-Home Inferno
JERSEY CITY (CBS) ―
A fast moving fire destroyed two buildings and damaged two others in Jersey City, New Jersey on Sunday.
Windy conditions whipped flames into a frenzy at 272 St. Pauls Avenue, where several people were trapped inside.
The "Fire department was able to go into 272 and rescue two women who were in the basement," said Armando Roman, Director of Fire and Emergency Services in Jersey City. "They were able to take them out the window."
One resident rescued by firefighters suffered burns to her hands suffered mild smoke inhalation.
She was part of a handful of people injured by the devastating fire, including one firefighter. None of the injuries are described as serious.
The fire started in a second floor bedroom and spread to the house next door. Then, two more homes started to take the heat.
"What the firefighters have been doing is not only to try and keep the flames from spreading to either side, they're using it as points to fight the fire from. They are on the roofs of those houses and they are also inside the houses," said Jeremiah Healy, of the Jersey City Fire Department.
Miguel Cordova, 9, and his mom Mabel watched as their home started to burn. Inside were Miguel's Hamsters, Sims and Nibs.
When firefighters brought the beloved pets out to the sidewalk it was hailed as a Mother's Day miracle.
"I was so glad they didn't suffocate," Miguel told CBS 2. "Those are two lucky hamsters," added Miguel's father Billy Cordova.
While there was no loss of life, there was a massive loss of belongings. The Red Cross is taking care of the affected families on a Mother's Day none of them will forget.
(© MMVIII, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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