Raging New Jersey Fire Forces 50 People Out of Homes on Frigid Night

A fire ripped through three buildings in Passaic, N.J., late Wednesday, forcing dozens of people into a shelter for the night and putting at least one building in danger of collapse.

The fire broke out in an two-story apartment building on Broadway, which had a business on the ground floor, at about 9 p.m., authorities said. The flames quickly spread to two other residential buildings, and crews battled into the night to bring the massive blaze under control. 

The roof collapsed in the building where the fire originated, fire officials say, and crews cut the gas line through the neighborhood. Flames broke out again Thursday morning in one of the heavily damaged buildings. 

Fifty people were pushed onto the frigid streets while firefighters worked. Some of them were eventually allowed back in their homes, but many spent the night in an emergency shelter set up by the city. No one was injured.

Crews are still at the scene because one of the buildings damaged in the fire could topple over. Broadway remained closed Thursday morning for several blocks.

Contact Us