A stubborn fire tore through a five-story co-op building in Fort Lee, New Jersey, for hours Thursday, destroying nearly 50 apartments and displacing dozens more families, officials said. 

Smoke from the raging inferno on Edwin Avenue could be seen for miles into the nighttime, including on the George Washington Bridge. Mayor Mark Sokolich said the fire started in the basement of the old brick building, though it's not clear how. It quickly spread upwards, with flames shooting out of windows and heavy smoke billowing from the roof. 

There was a partial floor collapse on the first floor, Sokolich said. As the blaze grew, firefighters did their best to control it, and were especially concerned about the cockloft connecting the burning building to a second building. 

Chopper 4 over the scene captured firefighters making rescues, escorting people from upper floors down on fire escapes.

By late Thursday night, 48 apartments were considered a total loss, and 48 apartments next door had been evacuated, Sokolich said. Three volunteer firefighters had minor injuries. 

Shaken residents said they ran from the building after they smelled smoke. One woman cried as she recounted her neighbor knocking on her door and urging her to get out. 

"I smelled it in my apartment," she said. 

Cindy Cweibel, who's lived in the building next door for about 20 years, said she called 911 when she smelled smoke. Though she made it out, her belongings are inside, and her fear was the fire will jump into her building.

"I came out and didn't expect this, but it was nothing like this at 4 o'clock," she said late Thursday night, assessing the inevitable ruins of the burning building. "Now everything is gone, and I'm hoping and praying it doesn't go into [my building.]" 

Emergency management was on the scene, and a shelter was set up at a nearby community center for displaced residents to spend the night, Sokolich said.

Despite the intensity of the fire, residents were grateful to have made it out safely.

"It's a shock," said resident Manuel Barrantes. "We are alive, so we can rebuild. I don't think it's the end. Maybe it's the start of something new." 

The Red Cross said it had a shelter at Fort Lee High School for displaced residents. 

Three water main broke early Friday, closing busy Ridge Avenue in East Falls ahead of the morning rush.

The breaks in 16-inch, 12-inch and 8-inch mains around 12:30 a.m. closed a 0.2-mile stretch of Ridge Avenue between Scots Lane and the U.S. Route 1 ramps, Philadelphia Water Department spokesman John DiGiulio said.

Water department crews stopped the water to customers on the 4000 block of Ridge, 3500 block of Scots and 3500 block of W Clearfield Street, DiGiulio said. Customers in the area could be without water.

Water crews will be digging in the area Friday morning, DiGiulio said.

SEPTA had to detour its 1, 61 and R bus routes around the scene.

Expect some extra traffic along Kelly Drive and other area roads Friday morning.

Creative ideas, all-natural inspiration and high-tech upgrades will all be on display at this weekend's Philly Home + Garden Show at the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center at Oaks.

Put down the cellphone. Parents can often get distracted by the streamline of technology and find that there is not enough time in the day to connect with their kids. NBC10 talked to parenting coach Meredith Mustard about how words and actions can make the most out of quality time spent together.

Hidden in the woods of Roxborough sits a nearly 200-year-old train station. Shawmont Station is currently boarded up and dilapidated, however plans are set to revamp the train station and bring it back to life. SEPTA says the Shawmont Station will look like it did in it's heyday. Reconstruction is set to be complete by 2020.

The deadline is here if you plan on registering for a spot in the 2019 Blue Cross Broad Street Run, the 40th edition of the iconic 10-mile dash.

This year’s 10-mile run down Broad Street from North Philadelphia to the Navy Yard in South Philadelphia will be held on Sunday, May 5. The free Health and Wellness Expo will take place on May 3 and May 4 at the Pennsylvania Convention Center.

NBC10 and Telemundo62 will broadcast the entire race live from start to finish.

Runners can register online from Feb. 1 until Feb. 15 at 11:59 p.m. Lottery selections are random and the sign-up period is more than two weeks long, so you'll have an equal chance to be one of the 40,000 or so participants no matter when you sign up, organizers say. It is estimated that 85 to 90 percent of people who enter the lottery will get into the race.

You don't need to be a marathoner or an elite sprinter to take part in the race. You just have to be able to complete a sub 15-minute mile, organizers say.

People can register as individuals or as groups of three to five runners, according to organizers. 

Runners can find out on Feb. 19 if they have a spot in the field. You will only be charged the $55 registration fee if you get a spot in the race field.

People who miss out on the race lotto or want to avoid it all together can also guarantee a spot by raising (or donating yourself) $500 to five select charities picked by race organizers.

Anyone who has participated in 10 or more previous Broad Street Runs is guaranteed a spot in the race as a "tenured runner" but they must apply during the regular lottery registration period then alert race organizers if they don't get in on the first turn, organizers said.

This year, runners may notice a new race logo and website. They will also get a nifty race-branded tech shirt.

The race is one of the largest 10-mile road races in the county. The first Broad Street Run was held in 1980 with 1,500 runners and it has since become one of the city's iconic annual events over its 40 years.

“On this milestone anniversary, we are celebrating not only this iconic world-class race, but also the city of Philadelphia itself, which is a huge part of the overall run experience, beginning with the Expo and leading up to actual race day,” Leo Dignan, assistant managing director for the City of Philadelphia Department of Parks and Recreation, said.

The race raises money for the American Cancer Society, having raised more than $5 million since 1982.

Get more information about registration specifics on the run's website. 

The grieving mother of a New Jersey girl killed by a police vehicle demanded answers after the department and prosecutors would not release details on her daughter's death at a Thursday afternoon news conference. 

Though officials would not name the girl, her family identified her as 17-year-old Narreada Robles. She was near the intersection of Harrison Avenue and East State Street in Camden shortly after 10 p.m. Wednesday when she was struck by the Camden County Police Department vehicle, Camden County Prosecutor's Office spokeswoman Alexandra McVeigh said.

"I feel dead inside. What they did to my daughter isn't fair," a weeping Lidia Robles said as she and other family members gathered to place candles and flowers at the site of the girl's death. 

Family said the teen had just exited a bus near the intersection when she was struck. "They dragged her," said aunt Brenda Carter as she pointed to a streak of blood on the pavement. 

Authorities have released few details about the crash, but McVeigh said the officer was responding to a call and had the cruiser's lights on at the time of the crash. However, McVeigh did not mention whether or not the vehicle's sirens were also on. 

"The policy is that any time that an officer is responding to an emergency call for service, depending upon the situation, generally they'll have their overheads activated to signal a warning to the motorized public at large, and people at different points in time - depending upon the call - they'll have their sirens activated as well," Camden County Police Department Chief Scott Thomson said. 

Thomson said the department's police vehicles have a "black box" of sorts that officials can use to determine which vehicle functions were activated. He added that the department will be working with city and county officials moving forward to determine safety measures at the intersection where the crash happened. One such measure could include a traffic light, he said.

But that answer did not did not satisfy the girl's mother, who, along with family, is demanding that the department release dashcam video of the crash. 

"I want justice for my daughter. That's all I want," Lidia Robles said.

Narreada Robles was a senior at Woodrow Wilson High School. Family members said she was an example to her younger siblings and was planning on attending college after graduation. Grief counselors were made available for students at her school.

The officer was placed on administrative leave as the investigation continues.

After coming off of the most violent year in more than a decade, a team is trying a new approach by empowering neighborhoods to stop violence.  Shondell Revell and the Philadelphia's Anti-Drug, Anti-Violence Network is walking the streets at night to make communities safer.

Nowadays heart disease is the No. 1 killer for men and women. Now researchers say pregnant women have newly discovered risk factors. School nurse Zakiyyah Morrison shares her heart attack story in hopes of helping save lives. Doctors at Mainline Health helped Morrison through it.

Philadelphia and its surrounding counties always have something going on. Whether it’s a beer festival, home and garden show, a winter festival, polar bear plunge or a comedy show, this area is full of winter fun every weekend. We’ve found the top (and affordable) choices of what to do this long weekend, Feb. 15 to 18, in Philly and New Jersey.

Feb. 15-18

What: Presidents' Day Weekend in Philadelphia

Many of Philadelphia’s museums and attractions will celebrate the holiday with free admission to special exhibits.

Where: Various locations

What: Philly Home + Garden Show

Get design ideas for inside and outside your home and see design celebrities like Ty Pennington.

Where: Greater Philadelphia Expo Center at Oaks

When: Friday 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Saturday 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.; and Sunday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Cost: $9 for adults if you buy online, children 12 and under are free

What: Polar Bear Plunge Weekend

The weekend kicks off at 7 p.m. Friday with the crowning of the "Royal Family." The costume contest begins at noon on Saturday and the chilly plunge in the ocean is at 2 p.m. Saturday. A 5K run takes place at noon on Sunday.

Where: LaCosta Lounge, 3000 Landis Ave., Sea Isle City, NJ

When: Friday through Sunday

Cost: $30 for the run

What: The Salty Sirens – Valentine’s Day Weekend

Spend Valentine’s Day with your loves at this cabaret burlesque show that includes cocktails and dinner.

Where: Elaine’s Boutique Hotel and Dinner Theater, 513 Lafayette St., Cape May, NJ

When: Friday and Saturday, from 5 to 11 p.m.

Cost: $50

What: Wildwood, NJ Cheer Movement Competition

Watch theses cheerleaders perform their choreographed routines. Winning teams will be awarded prizes.

Where: Wildwoods Convention Center, 4501 Boardwalk, Wildwood, NJ

When: Saturday and Sunday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Cost: Free

What:  Big Philly Beerfest

Taste craft beer from across the country with unlimited beer samples. Also enjoy live music and food at this event.

Where: Pennsylvania Convention Center, 1101 Arch Street, Philadelphia

When: Friday and Saturday, from 8 to 11:30 p.m.

Cost: Starts at $50

What: Uncorked Comedy

Enjoy a three-course meal, wine pairing and laughs with three New York City comics at this monthly event.

Where: Willow Creek Farm & Winery, 168 Stevens Street, West Cape May, NJ

When: Saturday, from 6 to 10 p.m.

Cost: $65 per person. Must be 21 years old to attend.

What: Black History in Philadelphia

Major city attractions, including the African American Museum of Philadelphia, the National Constitution Center and the Free Library of Philadelphia, will host events throughout the month.

Where: Various locations

When: All of February

What: Philly Theatre Week

For 10 days the city’s theaters offer affordable opportunities including shows, classes, readings and more.

Where: through Feb. 17

When: Various locations

Cost: Between $15 and $30 per person

What: Blue Cross RiverRink Winterfest

When the weather gets chilly, head to rink for some ice skating, fire pits, food, drinks, an arcade and more.

Where: Blue Cross RiverRink Winterfest, 101 S. Columbus Blvd, Philadelphia

When: through March 3, from 1 to 11 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 1 p.m. to 1 a.m. Friday, 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Sunday

Cost: Free for general admission, $4 skating admission, $10 skate rentals. Food and drink available for purchase.

What: Winter at Dilworth Park

In the shadow of City Hall, families can enjoy ice skating, the Wintergarden, shopping and plenty of snacks and hot chocolate outside at Dilworth Park.

Where: Dilworth Park, 1 S. 15^th Street, Philadelphia

When: through Feb. 24

Cost: Free to explore

What: Orchid Extravaganza at Longwood Gardens

Stroll through the indoor gardens and witness the beauty of the rarest of flowers.

Where: Longwood Gardens, 1001 Longwood Road, Kennett Square, Pa.

When: through March 24

Cost: Varies

NBC10's Miguel Martinez-Valle went to the Melrose Diner in South Philadelphia to get reaction to President Donald Trump's speech about his national emergency declaration over the border wall.

Alysea McDonald, senior market manager for Citizens Bank, and John Rowe, executive director of Utility Emergency Services Fund, explain what the Champions in Action program is all about.

President Trump's declaration of a national emergency Friday has experts and congressional leaders from all sectors and political parties analyzing the move. Trump said he made the executive order to gather federal money, without the approval of Congress, to build a wall along the U.S.-Mexican border. Some experts, however, believe he could have built the wall all along without all the manuevering of the past two months.

A Philadelphia woman whose violent 2018 arrest at a New Jersey beach was captured on video has pleaded guilty to a reduced charge, officials confirmed Friday.

Emily Weinman, 20 at the time of the arrest, will serve one year of probation for disorderly conduct and must stay out of Wildwood during the probation period, Cape May County prosecutors said. She had faced charges of aggravated assault on a police officer, aggravated assault by spitting bodily fluids at/on a police officer, disorderly conduct, resisting arrest, obstruction and being a minor in possession of alcohol.

Video of Weinman's arrest at a Wildwood beach over the Memorial Day weekend showed three police officers holding her down on the sand. One officer punches her in the face and back of the head as they restrain her.

The confrontation began when Weinman repeatedly refused to give the Wildwood officers her name as they questioned her about the presence of alcoholic beverages on the beach.

Weinman had rejected another plea deal in July of last year. The officers were cleared of criminal charges after authorities reviewed the video, as well as police body-cam footage.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.

The federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms issued a finding in the Chestnut Street blaze last February that left 160 people homeless and several businesses closed for good. The ATF in a statement Friday said the cause was determined to be incendiary, meaning it was intentionally set.

Helicopters lifting heavy equipment will trigger a series of street closures and public transit changes Sunday in Center City.

The intermittent closures will go into effect starting 4 a.m. and will last through 3 p.m., the Philadelphia Streets Department announced. As a result of the closures, SEPTA also announced detours to several of its bus lines.

Though the streets will not be completely closed for the full 11 hours, the streets department warned of delays caused by the following closures:

Street Closed             Closure Start Point              Closure Finish Point

John F Kennedy Boulevard  North Juniper Street              North 16th Street

15th Street                        Arch Street                          South Penn Square

North 16th Street               John F Kennedy Boulevard    Chestnut Street

North Juniper Street           Market Street                      Filbert Street

North Broad Street             Arch Street                       John F Kennedy Boulevard

South Penn Sqare              South 15th Street                South Broad Street

17th Street                       John F Kennedy Boulevard    Ludlow Street

18th Street                       John F Kennedy Boulevard    Chestnut Street

19th Street                       John F Kennedy Boulevard    Ludlow Street

20th Street                       Commerce Street                 Chestnut Street

Ludlow Street                   South 21st Street                 South 17th Street

Market Street                   North 15th Street                 North 21st Street

To get around the closures, Septa bus routes 2, 4, 16, 17, 27, 31, 32, 33, 38, 44, 48, 124, and 125 will temporarily be detoured. In addition, though SEPTA trains will be running their regular schedules, access to the 15th Street concourse will be blocked, and Market Frankford Line elevators won't be operating.

For a full list of SEPTA detours, click here.

The NBC10 First Alert Weather Team is tracking some weak wintry weather for this holiday weekend.

Here is what you need to know as we track the weather coming our way:

High temps Friday rocketed above 60 under mostly sunny skies ahead of scattered light, and brief, rain showers during the evening rush.

A cold front swings through with colder weather for Saturday and sets us up for chance of wintry weather in the most southern tip of New Jersey and southern Delaware neighborhoods during the morning. It should be mostly cloudy in most of the area.

High temps should be normal, in the low 40s so it’s possible that even where the system hits that the snow changes to rain. Any precipitation that falls should be gone by Saturday night.

Dry and cloudy during the day Sunday with highs in the mid to upper 30s. A weak system then moves in Sunday night bringing a chance of snow to Philadelphia, the Pennsylvania suburbs, the Lehigh Valley, Berks County, northern Delaware and South Jersey. The same southern neighborhoods that possibly get snow Saturday might only get rain from this second system.

The system should push out before daybreak Monday leaving us with a mostly cloudy Presidents Day with highs in the low 40s.

Another hit of wintry weather could then come on Wednesday bringing possible accumulating snow to the area before changing to a wintry mix then rain. It is still early to determine the impact of Wednesday’s storm.

Keep checking NBC10 on air and the NBC10 App (download it now) throughout the weekend for the up-to-date First Alert Weather forecast. 

Two Montgomery County police officers were dispatched to an interesting scene early on Valentine’s Day.

In the middle of morning rush hour on the Blue Route (Interstate 476), a mother was in labor.

The mother and father had to park their car on the shoulder of the highway. A 911 dispatcher was giving instructions to the father on the phone as the couple waited for the police officers to arrive.

To their surprise, when West Conshohocken patrolmen Matt Evangelist and Ron Ernst opened the door to the vehicle at 8:18 a.m., they saw that the father was already helping to deliver the baby who was almost out.

The mother was able to safely give birth to a baby girl with the help of the 911 dispatcher and the two officers.

“She was breathing and she had good color," Evangelist said. "We gave her a little rub on her forearm to make sure her throat was clear and all that stuff."

The group took care of the infant, named Layla, as they waited for an ambulance.

"She cried and we just wrapped her up then and waited for the ambulance to show up,” Evangelist said.

A fire that ripped through a building in Philadelphia's historic Old City neighborhood in February 2018, despite the efforts of hundreds of firefighters, was intentionally set, federal officials said Friday.

The early morning blaze that left 160 people homeless was "incendiary in nature," the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms said in a statement.

For months after the Feb. 18, 2018 fire, the block surrounding 239 Chestnut Street was shut off to traffic.

Its location in the heart of one of Philadelphia's most popular tourist destinations caused problems for surrounding locations. The Museum of the American Revolution is across the street.

Flames erupted around 3 a.m. on the sixth floor of the building, which housed apartments and retail stores, according to reports at the time.

"We grabbed our wallet, keys, my glasses, our shoes, our dog and literally ran downstairs," one resident of the building, Jenna Federico, said at the time. "We felt all the smoke around us going down the stairs."

The entire area where the fire spread was considered a potential collapse zone for weeks. City inspectors were tasked with meticulously checking all surrounding buildings for longterm stability.

The ATF did not go beyond its finding that the fire's cause was incendiary, but did note that the investigation is ongoing.

The ATF, Philadelphia Fire Marshal's Office and the police department are working together, the statement said.

A Delaware student's school went on lockdown after a bomb threat, and now her message to her parents is going viral. NBC10's Tim Furlong explains.