Keyport fire: Collapsing wall trapped firefighters

KEYPORT — Six firefighters were hurt fighting a massive fire in downtown Keyport on Friday.

Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office spokesman Charles Webster said the fire started in a warehouse on West Front Street and took 200 firefighters to bring under control by Friday night. At least six were injured fighting the five-alarm blaze.

Webster said some firefighters were trapped inside a building when a wall collapsed but are all accounted for. The injured firefighters did not suffer life-threatening injuries and not other injuries were reported.

The fire erupted late Friday afternoon in the business district of Keyport, a borough with about 7,000 residents.

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The borough was holding a bottled-water drive Saturday at Keyport First Aid Squad at 1927 Atlantic St. to help replenish supplies used by firefighters and volunteers yesterday. The squad was accepting donations Saturday until noon.

Mayor Harry Aumack says gusting winds made it more difficult to contain the fire.

Large plumes of smoke rose from the scene and covered the surrounding area.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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