The neighborhood surrounding Kennedy Furniture was quiet for most of yesterday morning until flames and heavy smoke began to pour out of the Kennedy Boulevard business, creating a chaotic scene on the Union City border.
A five-alarm fire tore through the furniture store at the 13th Street intersection sometime around 11:30 a.m., injuring four firefighters and evacuating several surrounding homes, North Hudson Regional Fire and Rescue Chief Frank Montagne said.
George Dawli, who had an appointment in the neighborhood at the time of the fire, said within minutes a light, gray smoke started pouring from the furniture warehouse before it quickly turned to a thick, black cloud.