Firefighter Injured, Dozens Displaced in NJ Blaze

A firefighter suffered a burn injury and dozens of people were displaced from their homes early Saturday morning when a fire spread through a residential building in Paterson, fire officials said.

The blaze broke out at about 2:10 a.m. at a two-story building at 30-32 N. Seventh St. and was still burning as of 7:30 a.m., according to Andrew Ricciardi, deputy chief of the Paterson Fire Department.

“The fire is contained but not under control,” Ricciardi told NJ Advance Media.

A Paterson fire captain suffered a burn injury while fighting the blaze, and he was taken to Saint Barnabas Medical Center for treatment, officials said.

All the people inside the burning building escaped unharmed, but they have been displaced, Ricciardi said.

The displaced residents, about 49 people, are getting assistance from Paterson officials and the American Red Cross, the deputy fire chief said.

Ricciardi said the cause of the blaze is under investigation, and it’s too early to determine whether it was accidental or suspicious.

With three fire companies from Paterson still at the scene, firefighters from surrounding towns are assisting by covering the city, the deputy chief said.

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