Paterson fire tears through multistory building
8 families believed to be displaced in blaze
PATERSON − A fire on East 18th Street on Tuesday afternoon left smoke billowing into the sky and a building in flames.
The fire started not long after noon in a multi-story building. Flames could be seen coming out of the top of the building with significant damage caused to the structure.
The four-alarm fire erupted inside a residential complex that caused several families to be displaced, according to one of the residents.
The family of Ayeisha Rodriguez, who lives in one of the units that caught ablaze, had to evacuate the multiple-apartment building. The family of four was outside for three hours since the incident occurred waiting for word from the fire department. One of the family members said eight families were displaced.
The fire started on the neighboring third floor and traveled down to the Rodriguez residency on the second floor, she said. The family does not know how the fire started.
One of the family members said a car parked in front of a fire hydrant caused a delay in extinguishing the flames.
The Rodriguez family members say they are all safe, but are still “figuring out” their plan on where to stay as the fire department works on the building. The Red Cross was on the scene helping them and other residents. One family member says they saw someone on a stretcher.
The mother of three was devastated that this happened to her family, but continues to remain optimistic. Her mother, who was on the scene but does not live with her, calls her a fighter.
The blaze comes a day after a fire that ended with a body found in a basement on Hamilton Avenue.