Weehawken, N.J. - Flames and smoke tore through a large two-and-a-half story dwelling on Highpoint Avenue, September 15th. North Hudson Fire Control dispatched a full assignment to a report of a fire in the rear of an Oak Street address. This was followed by calls reporting a fire on Highpoint Avenue, one block south. It was later discovered that occupants of an Oak Street home called it in when they saw flames coming from the rear of the Highpoint Avenue dwelling.

A column of smoke was in the sky and visible to incoming North Hudson Regional Fire & Rescue companies that were dispatched, after 8:30 a.m. Firefighters removed several occupants from a second-story ledge with ground ladders. There was heavy fire in the basement and flames had already extended to upper floors. Second and third alarms were quickly sounded, fearing the fire might extend to a dwelling on the east side of the fire building.

It took about an hour to get the main body of fire under control, but there were hidden pockets of concealed fire that kept firefighters busy for quite some time.

The Weehawken police crime scene unit was on the scene for the investigation. The Jersey City Gong Club canteen unit set up a rehabilitation area on Palisade Avenue.