Early-Morning Fire Destroys Three Buildings in Passaic

By JAMES WOOD, SR., Correspondent | December 26, 2021 | NEW JERSEY

Story No. 123021103

Photo by JAMES WOOD, SR.

Photo by JAMES WOOD, SR.

Photo by JAMES WOOD, SR.

PASSAIC, NJ — A three-alarm fire tore through three homes on Harrison St. on Sunday morning, December 26th.

The fire was reported at 9:15 A.M. The three buildings were completely destroyed, but all residents were able to escape from the fire. Two of the residents were sent to the hospital for breathing issues and one had broken his ankle from jumping from the second floor. One fireman was also sent for a minor injury, but was later released.

The fire started at 435 Harrison St., and quickly spread to two other homes at 433 and 437. According to Battalion Chief Adam Alberti, all the fire was in the rear and accessing it was not easy, as the houses were less than a foot apart.

It was reported that the smoke could be seen from as far away as Rt. 208 in Wyckoff. The cause of the blaze remains under investigation.

Towns from Passaic and Bergen County fought the early-morning blaze, including Clifton, Paterson, Totowa, Wayne, West Paterson and Little Falls from Passaic County; and Wallington, East Rutherford, Rutherford, Carlstadt, and Garfield from Bergen County.

The Passaic County canteen unit was there to provide refreshments.