Firefighters recovering after explosion in Harrison

  Eyewitness News

HARRISON, N.J. (WABC) -- A building in northern New Jersey that exploded in a spectacular fashion Sunday morning will be razed Monday, while five firefighters who narrowly escaped death continue to recover.

A backdraft triggered a massive explosion, sending dust and debris everywhere, and an eyewitness captured it all on a cell phone camera.

The five-alarm fire broke out Frank Rodgers Boulevard in Harrison and burned for several hours before it was brought under control.

It's not yet clear what sparked the blaze, which apparently started in a restaurant on the building's ground floor and spread toward a nearby apartment building.

None of the firefighters' injuries were considered life-threatening, but officials said one firefighter suffered extensive cuts when the explosion shattered a window.

No civilian injuries were reported, but 17 people were displaced.

The fire sent heavy, black smoke spewing from the two-story building. It also spurred travel delays and forced organizers to re-route a St. Patrick's Day parade being staged nearby.

CLICK HERE to see photos of the fire.

CLICK HERE to watch raw video from the explosion.

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Fire burns through Harrison building

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