Firefighter, Police Officers Hurt in NJ Church Complex Fire

A fire that broke out an Englewood Cliffs church complex caused injuries to a firefighter and several police officer as they rescued about 30 people from the St. Michael’s Villa

According to a report published by New Jersey On-Line, fire broke out at the complex at about 7 a.m. on Wednesday morning and responders quickly evacuated two priest and dozens of nuns from the four-story building. A firefighter cut a finger and several police office suffered smoke inhalation during the evacuation, the news agency reported. None of the occupants were injured, but a nun’s cat perished in the fire.

The report said the fire started outside the building an went up an elevator shaft to the fourth floor and caught the ceiling on fire. The building is four stories tall with a fifth floor room and every floor has damage, New Jersey On-Line reported.

Firefighters from 11 communities spent more than three hours battling the blaze. Its cause is under investigation.

St. Michael's Villa serves as a home for the congregation of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Peace.