CITY OF PASSAIC, NJ – A four-alarm fire broke out at 1:30 a.m. on July 5th. With fireworks heard in the background, firefighters responded to 733 Main Ave after receiving a report of smoke coming from the building. Battalion Chief Kovacs arrived on the scene and confirmed heavy smoke and fire coming from a three-story residential-over-commercial structure that was under renovation on the ground floor. Residents occupied the two upper floors.

All tenants escaped without any injuries. The fire was brought under control around 3:00 a.m.

The four-alarm fire left 35 people homeless, along with over 10 cats, as the blaze tore through the second-floor apartments and caused heat and smoke damage to the third floor.

One firefighter was taken to the hospital for heat and smoke inhalation.

Fire departments from Passaic and surrounding Bergen County towns assisted in fighting the fire.

The Passaic Fire Investigation Unit was on the scene to determine the cause. At this time, it appears the fire originated from electrical issues in the store under renovation.