Several firefighters sustained minor injuries fighting a massive fire on Wednesday, Dec. 21 that destroyed the Kennedy Furniture building at Kennedy Blvd. and 13th Street. The blaze began in the rear of the store about 11:30 a.m. and within 20 minutes had spread throughout the building, engulfing the roof and spreading a plume of thick black smoke that could be seen as far away as Manhattan.

About half a dozen individuals were inside the building when the fire broke out. All escaped without injury. Residents of neighboring buildings were evacuated and power shut down during the fire, and Kennedy Boulevard was shut down for several blocks. The four-alarm fire, which completely gutted the building, leaving nothing but a burnt skeleton, was brought under control by 3:15 p.m.

Reports indicate the fire may have started as the result of roof work with torches being done on the building, possibly without proper permits.

North Hudson Regional Fire and Rescue battled the blaze, with assistance from the Jersey City Fire Department and others. Members of the North Bergen Police Department were among the first responders on the scene, along with North Bergen EMS.