Fire building - 485 State Street

By Joe Bayona —

PERTH AMBOY – An early morning blaze gutted and apartment building in Perth Amboy at 485 State St. on Thursday July 5th. The alarm came in at 4:15 am. The fire was well underway when the fire apparatus first pulled up.

According to Chief Volk, the fire started in the kitchen on the second floor. When the residents fled the apartment, they left the door open allowing the fire to spread quickly to the hallway, up the stairs, and eventually into the cock-loft at the top of the building.

According to the director of Emergency Management, Larry Cattano, at 4:05 a.m. police officer Danny Gonzalez was dispatched to the area in front of the building to take a report of a hit and run accident. The residents of the building approached Officer Gonzalez to report the fire. Officer Gonzalez called in the alarm then entered the building and began knocking on doors alerting the residents to evacuate, saving precious time and lives.

All told, 10 Engine companies, 5 ladder companies, and a total of approx. 75 firefighters fought the blaze. There was also an engine and ladder company on standby at central fire headquarters.

As usual, the Salvation Army was there to provide food and drink for the emergency personnel at the scene.

Chief Volk praised the firefighters for their quick action and professionalism. Their skill and speed in trenching the roof, (a defensive tactic for containing a fire), prevented the fire from spreading to the adjoining buildings and averting a possible disaster and loss of life.

There were no injuries reported. Approx 60 residents from the main fire building and 2 adjoining structures were displaced by the blaze.