Edgewater Fire

Fire in Edgewater

Firefighters respond to the fire at the Avalon apartment complex in Edgewater, N.J., on Wednesday. It displaced more than 1,000 residents but caused no serious injuries, officials said. VIOREL FLORESCU/ASSOCIATED PRESS

The building where the fire broke out is engulfed by flames Wednesday. The blaze drew more than 500 first responders and led the whole two-building Avalon complex to be evacuated.JULIO CORTEZ/ASSOCIATED PRESS

A person uses a cellphone to take a photograph of the fire. Edgewater’s mayor declared a local state of emergency Thursday, closing schools and restricting road access near the scene.JULIO CORTEZ/ASSOCIATED PRESS

Smoke billows from the fire in Edgewater, N.J., as seen in New York City from across the Hudson River on Wednesday. It left 520 residents without a home and 530 others temporarily displaced. CRAIG RUTTLE/ASSOCIATED PRESS

Smoke from the Edgewater fire, with the George Washington Bridge in the background, is seen from Weehawken, N.J., on Wednesday. JULIO CORTEZ/ASSOCIATED PRESS

At the height of the blaze, first responders from 35 municipalities were at the scene, including 250 firefighters, 100 law-enforcement personnel, dozens of engines and ladders as well as fire boats from New York City and Jersey City, officials said. JASON SZENES/EUROPEAN PRESSPHOTO AGENCY

Smoke rises as firefighters tackle remaining hot spots at the complex Thursday. JULIO CORTEZ/ASSOCIATED PRESS

Edgewater Mayor Michael McPartland stands with a backdrop of smoke as he speaks during a news conference near the complex Thursday. ‘Everyone got out and none of the men were [seriously] injured. That’s the most important thing. We can always rebuild,’ the mayor said. JULIO CORTEZ/ASSOCIATED PRESS

Crews continue to fight the blaze Thursday. Some displaced residents are staying at a local community center for now, until more permanent arrangements are put in place, officials said. JULIO CORTEZ/ASSOCIATED PRESS