Space heater blamed for North Bergen fire

NORTH BERGEN (WABC) -- A four-alarm fire burned through a three story building in North Bergen, New Jersey.

Heavy smoke and fire could be seen spewing from the building on Broadway in North Bergen.

Flames broke out shortly after 1:00 p.m. on the second floor and quickly spread through numerous stores on the first floor and into the apartments above.

The fire appears to have been caused by a space heater in a second floor apartment.

The residents of that apartment told police that the fire started in the space heater, and quickly spread through the apartment.

They evacuated as quickly as they could.

Fire marshals plan to investigate, but they haven't been able to get inside the building yet, and may not because it's in danger of collapsing.

Firefighters responded to reports of residents trapped on the upper floors.

Three firefighters and two civilians were injured.

None of the injuries are life threatening.

There were still hot spots being put out late Wednesday night. Nine families were left homeless by the blaze.

See images from the scene

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Boil water and conservation request in Bergen Co.

  Eyewitness NewsNEW JERSEY (WABC) -- United Water issued an urgent water conservation request and a boil water advisory in parts of Bergen County.

United Water has issued a boil water advisory for customers in the following communities: - Englewood Cliffs - All residents
- Englewood - Residents east of Grand Avenue /Engle Street
- Tenafly - Residents east of Engle Street

Residents must boil their water until further notice.

Customers in the affected towns will have to boil their water for one minute for the following: drinking, cooking or baking, making ice cubes, taking medication, brushing teeth, washing food, mixing baby formula or food, mixing juices or drinks, feeding pets and all other consumption.

Water does not have to be boiled for the following activities: showering, washing dishes or clothes.

The boil water advisory was issued following a 30-inch main break on Hollywood Avenue & Route 9W in Englewood Cliffs which occurred this afternoon.

In addition, residents of Englewood, Englewood Cliffs, Fort Lee, Leonia, Palisades Park, and Tenafly should use water for essential purposes only.

"The water storage tank that supplies these towns is draining rapidly," said Jim Glozzy, general manager of United Water New Jersey. "It is essential that customers in these communities use water only for their basic needs until the repairs are completed." Glozzy explained that residents may have low water pressure or no water, especially if they live on upper levels of high rise buildings.

Glozzy said that United Water's emergency crews will work though the night to restore service.

He expects repairs to be completed sometime Thursday morning.

Once the repairs are completed, laboratory personnel will begin taking water quality samples to ensure the safety of the water. It typically takes between 24-48 hours to obtain results. They will be reported to the New Jersey State Department of Environmental Protection which will issue the order to lift the advisory at the appropriate time.

United Water is working with the Bergen County Office of Emergency Management to coordinate the response.

For current information customers can visit www.unitedwater.com/uwnj or call 800-422-5587.

United Water New Jersey serves 800,000 people in Bergen and Hudson counties.

(Copyright ©2011 WABC-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.)
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