Paterson, NJ - Paterson firefighters battled a three-alarm blaze early Saturday morning, February 27th, that displaced 49 residents and damaged two buildings.

Firefighters were dispatched to 30 North 7th St. for multiple callers reporting a working fire. Engine 4 arrived within minutes and advised they had a working fire on the second floor with possible exposure problems. Battalion 3 arrived shortly after and confirmed a working fire with fire showing from two windows on the second floor 'Delta' side and extending into the 'Delta' exposure. A second-alarm was then transmitted, bringing two additional engines to the scene.

Companies made an interior attack, however were quickly withdrawn from the building due to deteriorating conditions. A third-alarm was then transmitted as all companies went into a defensive attack on the original fire building and an interior attack on the exposure building. Heavy fire consumed the top floor and burned through the roof, sending embers a block away.

One ladder pipe and multiple handlines operated for over an hour to contain the fire. Command advised all companies to set up a collapse zone as several collapses occurred within the building, and an exterior roof awning collapsed. One minor injury was reported. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.