Paterson, NJ - Paterson firefighters saved three squatters from a vacant apartment building as a fire raged in the attic above them on July 19th.

With temperatures at about 90-degrees and high humidity, a report of a fire on the roof of 855 Main St. was transmitted at about 11:30 P.M. On arrival of the first units, heavy smoke was issuing from the attic area of a large three-story vacant frame OMD. Members removed the coverings for doors and stretched lies and started a search.

Truck 1’s bucket was raised to the roof for venting. Three vagrants were located on the third floor and quickly removed. As lines were being stretched to the third floor to access the attic area, heavy fire broke through the roof, prompting a transmission of a second-alarm.

Once lines were in place they were able to quickly knock down the visible flames. Companies were rotated due to the heat as the attic was opened up. A secondary search found no other squatters in the building. The fire was able to be placed under control in about one hour. No serious injuries were reported.