PATERSON, NJ - The Paterson Fire Dept., under the command of Deputy Chief Bill Bucher, responded to a reported building fire on Mercer St. at appoximately 4:30 A.M., March 22nd. The alarm was dispatched as possible people trapped in the house.

First arriving units found heavy fire on the second floor, extending to the third floor and through the roof. The inital report of possible people trapped was unfounded, as everyone had evacuated the three-story multiple-family dwelling upon FD arrival. A second-alarm was transmitted for manpower to assist at the scene.

PFD EMS and St. Joseph's Hospital were on stand by at the scene if needed. Mutual Aid companies from surrounding municipalities covered city firehouses.