February 7, 2023

TRENTON, NJ (Mercer) – More than a dozen people were left homeless by a Tuesday evening (Feb. 7) blaze that damaged two homes and injured one firefighter. It was about 8:55 p.m. when firefighters from Engines 7, 10, and 6, Ladder 2 and Rescue 1 were dispatched to 44 McKinley Avenue after a resident called 911 to report the home was filling up with smoke. When the crew of Engine 7 arrived on scene, they found flames already burning through the roof of the home next door – 46 McKinley Avenue, which occupied the right side of a 2.5-story duplex shared by 44 McKinley (the left side). The “All Hands” signal for a working fire was transmitted and additional firefighters from Engines 1 and 3, Ladder 4, and Special Services 1 responded. Heavy fire conditions were encountered by firefighters on the second and third floors of 46 McKinley Avenue. Firefighting efforts were reportedly complicated by an interior ceiling collapse and a hose that was damaged while firefighters were flowing water on the flames. The bulk of the fire was extinguished within about a half hour. Both sides of the duplex sustained significant damage. The Red Cross was requested to the scene to provide temporary shelter for more than a dozen displaced residents, including two children. One firefighter reportedly was transported to a local hospital to be treated for unspecified injuries.