Bayonne is collecting gift card donations for the 24 residents who were displaced by a recent four-alarm fire on Broadway. Additionally, several online fundraisers have been set up for the victims as well.
Large blaze on Broadway
At 10:21 p.m. on Tuesday, June 7, the Bayonne Fire Department was dispatched to 326 Broadway on a reported bedroom fire. Upon arrival, units were met with heavy fire conditions on the first floor of the three-story, six-unit masonry residential building.
As smoke and flames worked their way up through the building, firefighters were able to rescue a woman who was trapped at a third-floor window using a tower ladder. Firefighters used multiple handlines to fight the blaze, which progressed to four alarms. The fire was declared under control at 1:49 a.m.
“I responded to the scene and watched the heroic efforts of our police, fire, and EMS as they worked for hours to keep the fire from spreading to nearby structures,” Mayor James Davis said in his weekly COVID-19 video update. “Thankfully, no one was injured.”
No injuries were reported and a fire investigation is underway. However, the fire does not appear to be suspicious in nature. The fire building sustained heavy fire damage and must be demolished, with the roof and third floors collapsing on to the second floor. However, firefighters were able to keep the fire from spreading to the adjacent structures.
Eleven residents lose everything
While no one was hurt, 24 people were displaced. Of those 24 residents, 11 are permanently displaced from the fire building at 326 Broadway. Meanwhile 13 others are displaced temporarily, with 10 from 324 Broadway due to smoke and water damage. Three others from 328 Broadway are temporarily displaced until 326 Broadway can be demolished.
As such, the city is banding together to support those affected. Davis announced in a later statement that gift cards are being accepted by the city for the residents involved, which includes six families.
“Earlier this week, some of our neighbors were left homeless by a large and destructive fire on Broadway,” Davis said. “Six families have lost all their possessions in addition to the roof over their heads. At this time, I want to ask our community to step up to help our friends in need, as you do every time one of our own needs help. If you have the means, I’m asking that you purchase a gift card (any type/any denomination) so that we can help these families purchase items they will need to move forward. I am going to accept these gift cards at my office in City Hall and we will get them to these families right away.”
Residents can bring gift cards to the mayor’s office at City Hall at 630 Avenue C. All displaced are under the care of the Bayonne Office of Emergency Management and the Red Cross.
The city continues to support everyone affected, according to Davis:Â “Bayonne always steps up and I thank you all in advance for your generosity and compassion!.”
Several fundraisers started
In addition to the city raising donations, there are also GoFundMe webpages started online for various victims of the fire.
To donate to Kayla Silvani and her boyfriend Ryan, who recently moved to Bayonne and lost all their possessions, go to:Â gofundme.com/f/two-loving-people-who-lost-all-belongings?qid=2b1b654848533a4e9026bcb0f0f3f066.
Another fundraiser is for Nereyda Ozuna, who recently moved here from New York City also lost all their belongings in the fire, at gofundme.com/f/fire-in-bayonne?qid=2b1b654848533a4e9026bcb0f0f3f066.
To donate to a woman only identified as Judi, an employee of the 5th Street Deli who lost everything including her three beloved cats, go to: gofundme.com/f/employee-of-the-fifth-st-deli-lost-everything.
For updates on this and other stories, check www.hudsonreporter.com and follow us on Twitter @hudson_reporter. Daniel Israel can be reached at disrael@hudsonreporter.com.
