VIDEO - Six firefighters have been injured in a massive fire that consumed three commercial buildings on the Jersey Shore Friday evening, causing one of them to collapse, authorities say.
The blaze broke out at a building on West Front Street in downtown Keyport about 3:30 p.m., and quickly spread to two nearby buildings, according to authorities. "It came on so quick, it took the whole building," said witness Bob Deronde.
Dozens of fire trucks and ladder units from several municipalities battled flames shooting through the roof and ripping through the structure. Thick smoke billowed from the building, blanketing nearby streets, video shows. "It was pretty intense. The flames were pretty high," said Joe Vecchio.
"The gray smoke just started billowing out of the front," said witness David Austin. Videos provided to NBC 4 New York by witnesses show part of the fire-gutted building collapse. Radio transmissions between emergency responders reveal concern over firefighters possibly injured in the blaze.
"Urgent, we have guys down, urgent, Mayday," one firefighter is heard saying.