Video shows several children, and at least one adult, escaping a blaze that tore through an Edgewater, N.J., building on Monday.
The fire, which began just before 7 p.m. on April 9, broke out at a multi-use commercial building that houses a carwash, auto body shop, health spa and dance studio for children.
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Five people were taken to local hospitals with non-life threatening injuries.
In a press release to Global News, the Edgewater police department wrote that no one sustained life-threatening injuries, and that “all the injured parties are in stable condition.”
The dramatic video shows a group of people, including Good Samaritans and first responders, using a ladder to rescue the children stuck on the second floor of the building.
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Children could be heard yelling as they leaped from the dance studio balcony to escape the advancing fire.
Edgewater Mayor Michael McPartland said during a press conference that everyone is “very fortunate” and applauded those who helped to rescue the trapped individuals.
“They helped the girls and their dance studio members evacuate from the second floor. It was kind of dramatic. They didn’t know what to do. The girls were trapped on the second floor and they escaped,” said McPartland to reporters.
Edgewater fire chief Steve Curry also added that they believe the fire started on the first floor of the building, where the auto body shop and carwash are, but it’s not yet confirmed. Curry said the investigation is still underway.
Global News reached out to the Edgewater fire chief but did not hear back by posting of this article.
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