NJ Firefighters battle fire and ice in two blazes

TRENTON — Firefighters battled both flames and bitter cold in two fires on Thursday night.

Fire broke out around 7 p.m. in 19-degree weather at a three-story apartment building in New Brunswick on Throop Avenue. Hoses quickly became encased in ice as 42 people from 10 families became displaced by the blaze.

New Brunswick Fire Chief Kevin McCann said fighting fires in cold weather can be dangerous, with water freezing both in hoses and on the ground.

Five members of the Red Cross New Jersey Region's Disaster Action Team helped provide comfort and emergency assistance and opened a reception center at a nearby fire station so families could stay warm and meet with volunteers.

“Our sympathies are with the families affected by last evening’s fire during this difficult time,” said Ana Montero, regional CEO of the American Red Cross New Jersey Region.

A GoFundMe page has already been created for resident Edgar Colon who lost his newly furnished apartment and defeating thyroid cancer.

6 ABC Action News reported a fire at a home on Poplar Avenue in Bordentown on Thursday night as well

Contact reporter Dan Alexander at Dan.Alexander@townsquaremedia.com.

The Associated Press contributed to this report