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50+ Homeless in Paterson Fourth Alarm

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August 27, 2020 | NEW JERSEY BILL TOMPKINS, Correspondent
This article is a direct street report from our correspondent and has not been edited by the 1st Responder newsroom.

A four alarm fire destroyed or damaged five buildings in Paterson on August 27th, leaving over fifty residents homeless, but causing no reported injuries.

Paterson fire units were dispatched shortly before 2:30 A.M. to 77 Mill St, a three-story frame building with a store on the first floor and apartments above. This structure was in the middle of a row of similar attached buildings that ran most of the block. Heavy smoke was visible as companies responded. Heavy fire was consuming the rear of the fire building as units arrived. Flames were spreading to the exposures and residents were at windows on the second and third floors. A Second alarm was transmitted as ladders were placed to rescue the occupants. Lines were stretched in the front door and to the rear yard.

As heavy fire took full possession of the rear of the fire building and some collapses occurred, all members were backed out and operations went defensive. A third alarm was called as the fire continued to additional buildings in the row. Three elevated master streams were put into operation from three sides of the fire buildings as well as numerous hand lines in the front and rear. This was able to halt the advance of the fire. An additional alarm was transmitted for additional resources. All visible fire was knocked down within two hours, but units remained at the scene well into the daylight hours.

The cause is under investigation. Mutual aid from Passaic, Prospect Park, and Haledon assisted at the scene.

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BILL TOMPKINSCorrespondent

No information from the author.