Boards now replace windows at three homes on the 700 block of East 18th Street in Paterson. All three homes were damaged during a fire. The Red Cross says it is helping 45 people from 14 families.

"That amount of people in total is crazy. I can't even imagine what they're going through right now," said Amanda Saez, who rushed over when she heard about the fire.

Saez says she has a friend who lives in one of the homes.

"I was like, let me at least check on him, you know? So I reached out to him to make sure he's fine," said Saez.

The fire started around 12:30 p.m. Tuesday. Fire officials say all tenants had escaped by the time they arrived, everyone making it out safely.

The most severe damage was at the rear of 790 East 18th Street, where the fire is believed to have started.

The Red Cross says all 14 families have been provided with emergency financial assistance.

"This is to help them with immediate needs over the first couple of days after being impacted by the fire,” said Sheir Ferreira, the communication manager for the NJ Region of the Red Cross. “They can use it however they choose, but it's typically used for temporary lodging, food, clothing. Anything that needs to be replaced.”

There is no word on what caused the fire. The Paterson fire chief says an investigation is underway.