Newark Public Safety Director Anthony F. Ambrose and Fire Chief Rufus L. Jackson report that firefighters extinguished a two-alarm fire in the North Ward this morning.
Authorities said at approximately 2:50 a.m., firefighters responded to 315-321 Mount Prospect Avenue and observed smoke emanating from a business located on the ground floor of the building, which has addresses on both Mount Prospect Avenue and 2nd Avenue.
The fire reached the apartments above the business and two male victims, ages 35 and 52, were transported to University Hospital for evaluation.
Other tenants in the building were temporarily displaced during the Fire Division’s operations.
No other injuries were reported and the fire was declared under control at 4:12 a.m.
The exact cause of the fire is being investigated by the arson units of the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office and Newark Fire Division. Director Ambrose urges anyone with information about this incident to call the Department's 24-hour Crime Stopper tip line at 1-877-NWK-TIPS (1-877-695-8477) or 1-877-NWK-GUNS (1-877-695-4867).
All anonymous Crime Stopper tips are kept confidential and could result in a reward.