man was missing and presumed dead in a five-alarm blaze that ravaged a New Jersey apartment building and left four families homeless yesterday, fire officials said.
Two others were injured in the blaze, which began at around 12:30 p.m. in the three-story building on Eighth Street in North Bergen.
About 100 firefighters fought the blaze for nearly five hours.
"The flames from the basement started rising up the building," said area resident Hector Zarzuela, 28. "They were shooting out of the roof."
Firefighters said they could not immediately search for the missing resident - a man believed to be in his late 30s to early 40s and who lived in the basement - until the structure is stabilized.
The 17 displaced residents are staying with relatives and friends.
David Curtis, deputy chief of North Hudson Regional Fire and Rescue, said it's not clear how the fire started.
Local television reports said it may have been sparked by a tenant smoking in bed.
