By: Richard L. Smith
The American Red Cross disaster volunteers assisted 15 individuals from five families who were displaced after a fire tore through their home in an Elizabeth community on Friday afternoon.
Officials believe that the blaze started at 4:15 p.m. in a restaurant inside a building with apartments on the upper floors at 1035 Elizabeth Avenue.
Firefighters arrived at the scene and stretched multiple lines after finding flames coming from the building.
Crews evacuated the entire structure as they worked to locate the source of the fire.
Due to the heavy fire that spread through the structure, officials struck a second and then a third alarm for additional manpower.
Crews brought the fire under control in about two hours, and after searching the building, no injuries were reported.
The cause of the fire is under active and ongoing investigation.
Lithium-ion batteries found inside the building prompted Hazmat crews to assist in managing possible exposure.
