Edgewater fire by the numbers: Hundreds responded, 1000 displaced

EDGEWATEROfficials are still trying to piece together what caused the devastating firethat destroyed theAvalon apartment complex Wednesday night.

The blaze, which is now under control but was still smolderingThursday morning, rapidlytore throughthe upscale apartment complex. No serious injuries were reported. The Bergen County Arson Unit is still investigating what may have sparked the fire.

Edgewater Fire Chief Tom Jacobson said flames spread quickly throughout the building due to the"lightweight" wood construction and truss-style roof.

"If it was made out of concrete and cinder block, we wouldn't have this sort of problem," he said during a press conference Thursday morning.

Here's what is known so far, based on information provided by local officials:

• The call came in at 4:22 p.m. for a fire at the Avalon Apartment complex on Russell Avenue.
• More than 1,000peoplewere displaced. The fire displaced 500 residents in the apartment complex and temporarily forced another520out of surrounding homes.
• 240of the 408 units in the complex were destroyed.
• 168 units were saved.
• 35 towns responded to the blaze.
• 250 firefighters, along with two fire boats from the New York City Fire Department, two Jersey City marine units and one New Jersey State police boat responded.North Hudson Regional Fire and Rescue Chief Frank Montagne said his department sent two engines and 13 to 14 firefighters to the scene. He said it was the biggest fire that many of the company's members had ever seen.
• 500 first responders reported to the scene.
• Firefighters rescued three people from the smoke-filled building.
• It cost $75 million to rebuild the complex, following a previous fire in 2000. At the time, fire officials deemed that the blaze spread rapidly, due to the building's wooden constructionjust as Jacobson described on Thursday.
• County Road 520, also known as River Road,is down to one lane in both directions due to the fire.
• The Edgewater Community Center at 1167 River Road is available as a shelter for those displaced by the fire,according to the Red Cross.
• Edgewater has a total population of 11,513, according to the latest Census data.

Kathryn Brenzel may be reached atkbrenzel@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter@katiebrenzel. FindNJ.com on Facebook

Source: http://www.nj.com/bergen/index.ssf/2015/01/edgewater_fire_by_the_numbers_hundreds_responded_1.html