Newark Firefighter Burned In Blaze At Church Rectory (VIDEO)

NEWARK, NJ — A Newark firefighter suffered second-degree burns to his ears and neck while fighting a two-alarm blaze in the rectory of St. Lucy’s Church on Monday, authorities said.

A local police officer entered the building and helped 10 people to evacuate before crews arrived and put out the fire, according to the Newark Department of Public Safety.

According to public safety officials, officers Thomas Johnson and Veronica Rivera were patrolling the area at 2:35 p.m., when they saw smoke coming from the rectory at 118 7th Avenue. The officers called in the blaze to their peers in the fire department, then Johnson went into the building to assist those inside to safety.

Here’s what happened next, authorities said:

“Responding firefighters located a fire in a sun porch area at the rear of the building. The fire extended to the building’s second-floor and roof. A second alarm was called at 2:50 p.m. with some 70 firefighters responding to the scene. The injured firefighter was transported to Saint Barnabas Medical Center [in Livingston] for treatment. No other injuries have been reported. The fire was considered under control at 3:26 p.m.”

Two priests who reside at the rectory have been relocated, authorities said.

The Department of Public Safety’s Arson Unit is investigating the cause and origin of the fire.

“I commend 2nd Precinct officers Thomas Johnson and Veronica Rivera for their swift action in notifying the fire division as soon as they observed smoke coming from the rectory,” Newark Public Safety Director Brian O’Hara said.

“And I can’t thank officer Johnson enough for his bravery in going inside the building and personally evacuating two priests and eight other individuals before firefighters arrived,” O’Hara added. “His concern for the wellbeing of community members and his commitment to saving lives is exemplary.”

“The immediate response of Newark firefighters in aggressively fighting this fire is also commendable,” O’Hara concluded. “This incident could have been much worse had it not been for their diligence and determination to get this fire under control.”

Newark public safety officials released video footage taken at the scene of the fire. Watch it below.

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