50 Firefighters Hurt Battling Jersey City Blaze Amid Dangerous Heat, Humidity

Most were overcome by heat, officials said

More than 50 firefighters were hurt, many overcome by heat, while battling a raging blaze in Jersey City, N.J., on the sixth day of a heat wave that felt hotter than 100 degrees. 

Officials said 25 firefighters were taken to the hospital while 27 were treated at the scene. One of the firefighters taken to the hospital had a back injury and another hurt his ankle. All the other injuries were related to the heat.

Thick plumes of smoke billowed from the tops of several buildings near John F. Kennedy Boulevard and Boyd Avenue around 1:30 p.m. Friday as crews, saddled with heavy equipment, gathered on charred rooftops and directed water at the flames. 

The cause of the fire has not yet been determined. It tore through at least three homes.
 
Neighbor Trina Bullock says there were flames and smoke all around, and then she heard two or three explosions.
 
She says, "it was black smoke, a boom and the house just went up again."
 
 
 
 
Copyright AP - Associated Press
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