By: Richard L. Smith
A devastating house fire in Jersey City on Friday sent a 1-year-old child and a 17-year-old girl to the hospital and left multiple families displaced.
The American Red Cross is now providing support to 17 adults and six children who were affected by the blaze.
Jersey City officials said firefighters arrived at 322 Princeton Avenue to find intense flames and thick smoke consuming the first floor of the residence, with the fire rapidly spreading to neighboring homes.
Amid the chaos, responders were informed that a 15-month-old baby was still trapped inside the home.
Firefighters located the unconscious infant in a back bedroom and carried the child out to safety.
Officials confirmed the baby was breathing but unresponsive when rescued and was immediately transported to a nearby hospital for treatment of smoke inhalation.
The child is now in stable condition.
A 17-year-old girl, also in the home at the time of the fire, suffered smoke inhalation and was taken to the hospital. Her condition has been reported as stable.
Authorities believe no one else was inside the two-family residence at the time of the fire. However, the blaze has displaced multiple families from the home and adjacent properties.
The American Red Cross is working to provide shelter and resources to those impacted by the fire.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation. Local officials and emergency responders are urging residents to remain vigilant about fire safety during the winter season.