Ferocious 7-Alarm Fire Leaves 17 Displaced in Paterson

A seven-alarm fire broke out around midnight at a mixed-use building on Broadway near Straight Street in Paterson, New Jersey, causing extensive damage and leaving multiple residents displaced. Firefighters from Paterson, along with units from Hawthorne and Prospect Park, responded to the scene. The fire rapidly spread through the building, which housed businesses on the ground floor and apartments above, resulting in the building being a total loss. The roof collapsed during the blaze, and one person remains unaccounted for. Despite the severity of the fire, no injuries have been reported.

The cause of the fire is currently under investigation. Over three dozen firefighters have been involved in combating the flames. The American Red Cross is providing assistance to the displaced residents, with the number of those affected potentially rising as assessments continue. The smell of smoke was reported to have reached nearby Fair Lawn, waking some residents.