By: Richard L. Smith
A firefighter was injured and seven residents were displaced after a two-alarm fire broke out late Sunday night in Paterson.
Firefighters responded to 57 Pearl Street shortly before midnight, where they encountered flames inside a garage at a two-story corner property.
As crews worked to bring the blaze under control, an emergency mayday was transmitted around 12:03 a.m. Monday after a firefighter was reported down.
The emergency alert was canceled approximately one minute later. However, the firefighter suffered a minor leg injury and was transported for medical treatment.
A second alarm brought additional resources to the scene as firefighters continued battling the flames.
By approximately 12:15 a.m., fire officials reported that the bulk of the blaze had been knocked down and the fire was being held.
The American Red Cross was called to assist seven occupants who were displaced by the fire.
The cause of the blaze has not been reported, and the extent of the property damage remains unclear.