Fire displaces dozens of seniors in Newark just before Thanksgiving
- A transformer fire in Newark led to the displacement of over 80 senior citizens.
- Residents expressed distress over the evacuation process and damaging conditions in their apartments.
- City officials are working on providing temporary housing for displaced residents, highlighting ongoing support efforts.
In Newark, New Jersey, a fire occurred at a senior citizen building on Franklin Avenue, displacing 87 residents just days before Thanksgiving. The incident unfolded when a transformer fire ignited, spreading to four units within the housing authority facility. Many residents reported traumatic experiences during the evacuation, with some stating that flames engulfed parts of the building while they were trying to exit, leaving them unable to return home. City officials indicated that while some residents found temporary housing, others, including those with health issues, expressed difficulty in coping with the shelter conditions. As repairs by the PSE&G utility company are underway, a community activist criticized their role in the fire, claiming negligence.