A two-alarm fire quickly tore through two houses in Perth Amboy on Feb. 5, forcing a family of five to evacuate into the bitter cold with just the clothes on their back.
The Perth Amboy Fire Department responded at 4:34 a.m. to 50 Broad St. for the reported structure fire.
Firefighters arrived on scene and found all floors and the rear of a vacant 2 1/2-story wood-frame dwelling well involved with heavy extension to 52 Broad St., a similar structure on the B-side.
Handlines were advanced and searches were conducted on the occupied exposure building to ensure all occupants evacuated the home safely. An interior attack was attempted in the occupied home by the suppression crew, but were quickly forced out due to deteriorating conditions.
Once the interior crew retreated, a defensive operation was established, placing two elevated master streams and several 2 1/2-inch handlines in service to douse the flames from the exterior and protect a third building.
The rear and roof of the vacant home suffered a heavy collapse, while the occupied home suffered a roof collapse, causing significant damage to both.
Chief Abe Pitre declared the fire under control around 6:30 a.m., but crews remained on scene conducting extensive overhaul to areas they were able to access.
Mutual aid departments from South Amboy, Sayreville, Hopelawn, Keasbey, Fords, Edison and Monroe responded to the scene to assist and cover the city during the incident.
Perth Amboy fire officials are investigating the cause of the fire.
