Firefighters battled a raging fire that spread through four buildings and displaced at least 33 people on Saturday night.
At least 33 people were displaced by the blaze in Newark, the American Red Cross said. Many of them are staying with friends and family, but the organization is helping three families find someplace to stay, according to the Red Cross.
Toni Kelly said the fiery blaze was so hot that she couldn't even get close to the fire.
"The flames were like just shooting up," she said. "It was hard to tell what was on fire."
The fire was first reported at about 10 p.m. on Lafayette Street.
Ana Garcia was able to escape unharmed, as were the other residents in the impacted buildings.
Garcia said she first saw the fire through the windows of her home, next door to the building where the blaze started. She and the other residents immediately ran outside, she said, without taking the time to save any possessions.
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Late Sunday morning, fire crews were still assessing whether the structures were stable enough to allow Garcia and others to return to their homes to salvage any belongings.
The cause of the blaze is under investigation.
