PATERSON, NJ — A devastating seven-alarm fire in Paterson, New Jersey, left families homeless and destroyed businesses Sunday morning.
Residents said the fire at 195 Broadway started around midnight, but firefighters continued to douse the building with water well after the sun rose.
Officials said the fire was serious and difficult to contain, and assistance was requested from several fire units in the area.
“I was taking a shower. I led someone who was yelling and screaming, ‘There’s a fire! Call 911! We need water!'” a frightened neighbor told CBS New York. “I panicked, I let my kids know and we just ran away and left everything behind. We just lost everything, tried to start over, and it’s like we lost everything again.”
Building completely destroyed
CBS New York
The roof collapsed and demolished the second floor, leaving the building completely destroyed.
According to the Red Cross, there were at least fifteen apartments on the second floor. The first floor housed several small businesses, including an insurance office, a hair salon and a corner restaurant.
The Red Cross said it was helping six displaced families.
No mention was made of any injuries.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
