By: Richard L. Smith
Fire crews are on the scene of a destructive multi-alarm fire that broke out early Wednesday morning inside a three-story apartment building on Elm Street.
According to preliminary information from crews on the ground, the fire was first reported around 3:30 a.m. at 14 Elm Street.
Responding firefighters arrived to find heavy smoke and flames pushing from the top floor of the structure, with fire quickly extending to nearby homes at 12 and 16 Elm Street.
The blaze escalated to a third alarm as flames tore through the rear of the building and spread into two adjoining dwellings.
Several families have been displaced, and the American Red Cross has been notified to provide assistance and relocation support of about 50 people.
Firefighters stretched multiple hose lines in an effort to get water on the stubborn flames.
As of 6:15 a.m., there were no immediate reports of injuries. Crews entered the affected buildings to conduct searches for trapped residents and to check neighboring homes for possible extension.
Officials have not yet released further details, and the cause of the fire remains under investigation.
This is a developing story, and updates will be provided as more information becomes available from Paterson Fire officials.
