Atlantic City, New Jersey – At least 12 people were displaced early Wednesday morning after a fire broke out inside a high-rise apartment building along Atlantic Avenue, forcing residents to evacuate as flames poured from upper floors.
The fire erupted at the Brighton Towers condominium building, located in the 2800 block of Atlantic Avenue, at approximately 4:51 a.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 14, according to officials.
Heavy Flames Reported on Eighth Floor
Fire crews responding to the scene encountered heavy flames coming from the eighth floor of the 13-story building. The blaze quickly prompted emergency evacuations as smoke and fire spread through the structure.
Residents were instructed to leave immediately, using stairwells since elevators were unavailable during the emergency.
“They told us to get out,” said David Nickel, a resident of the building. “We came down the stairs because we couldn’t take the elevator. We turned around and saw the flames coming out of the windows.”
Multiple Units Left Uninhabitable
Officials confirmed that 12 condominium units were rendered uninhabitable due to a combination of fire and water damage. The American Red Cross responded to the scene to assist displaced residents in securing temporary housing if needed.
Emergency crews worked to ensure all residents were safely evacuated, including individuals with disabilities who required additional assistance.
Large Firefighter Response to High-Rise Emergency
Between 80 and 90 firefighters responded to the blaze, working to clear the building, contain the fire, and prevent further spread to neighboring units.
“High-rise fires are always extremely challenging,” said Atlantic City Fire Department Captain Paul Hess. “We forced multiple entries to multiple rooms.”
Firefighters remained on scene for several hours to extinguish hot spots and assess structural safety.
Investigation Into Cause Ongoing
No injuries were immediately reported, and officials have not released the cause of the fire. An investigation remains ongoing as fire officials continue to evaluate damage and determine what sparked the blaze.
Residents affected by the fire were advised to coordinate with building management and emergency services regarding next steps for reentry and housing.
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