WOODBRIDGE – A quick-witted pedestrian is credited by Township Mayor John MacCormac for saving lives in an apartment building fire that displaced 32 people early Sunday.

At least a dozen units in a two-story complex at Colonial Gardens Apartments in the Avenel section of township were affected by the blaze around 4 a.m., MacCormac said – six units were destroyed while six others were destroyed. suffered heavy water damage.

No residents were injured but a firefighter was treated for a minor injury, he continued.

MacCormac credits the efforts of a woman who called 911 about the fire, then knocked on doors and windows to get everyone out.

“She was apparently coming back from 7-Eleven on Route 1 and saw the fire just starting, immediately called 911 and started knocking on doors and windows,” MacCormac told New Jersey 101.5.

MacCormac said the complex had main entrances at the front and back and the woman knocked on windows to get residents’ attention.

“There are people alive because she was in the right place at the right time,” MacCormac said.

The municipality offers a helping hand

The Woodbridge Charity Fund is collecting checks and gift cards at the community center and donations from Venmo will also be accepted soon, MacCormac said Monday.

The American Red Cross in New Jersey on Sunday offered emergency first aid with temporary shelter, food, clothing and other immediate needs.

“Half the units lost everything except what they were wearing,” MacCormac said.

The mayor said the township is working with the office of U.S. Representative Frank Pallone and the state Motor Vehicle Commission to try to replace immigration papers, green cards, driver’s licenses and records that have been lost in the fire.

“Even the six apartments damaged by water and smoke still couldn’t get into the building, so they don’t know if their business is good anymore. It could have dissolved,” MacCormac said.

Contact reporter Dan Alexander at [email protected] or via Twitter @DanAlexanderNJ

8 ways to fight the spotted lantern fly in the NJ

Haunted Hayrides and New Jersey Attractions for 2021