A fire broke out at The Clock Tower Apartments, located at 300 Adams Street in Hoboken, on the morning of Sept. 19, 2024. The fire started on the Adams Street side of the five-story building, which houses 172 units. Flames were first spotted coming from two windows on the upper floors, prompting a swift response from the Hoboken Fire Department and other emergency services. The building was quickly evacuated as firefighters worked to contain the blaze.
Hoboken Councilman Michael Russo confirmed that no injuries were reported, and the fire was under control shortly before 10 a.m. The Hoboken Office of Emergency Management set up a command center at the Multi-Service Center on 124 Grand Street to coordinate response efforts.
Fire in Clock Towers Hoboken – poor people and animals – hope all are safe @thehobokengirl pic.twitter.com/AVdoSnBNKX
— C-diddy (@freddie_the_dog) September 19, 2024
Reports indicate that the fire was contained to a single apartment unit, although damage to that unit was significant. By 9:25 a.m., the flames appeared to have been knocked down. Streets around the apartment building were blocked off by Hoboken Police as firefighters continued to work to fully extinguish the fire and assess the damage.
An online fundraiser through AngeLink has been organized for Christina Ortiz and her two daughters, a local family whose apartment and personal belongings were completely destroyed in the blaze. Community members have already begun contributing to support the family as they recover from the loss.
The Clock Tower Apartments have been a fixture of the Hoboken skyline for decades. Originally built as a manufacturing complex, the building was converted into residential housing in 1975. It was later added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1985. The clock tower, which lights up at night, is a well-known landmark in the surrounding neighborhood and is visible from blocks away.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation. Emergency officials are expected to release more details as the investigation continues. This is a developing story, and updates will be provided as new information becomes available.
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