An early morning fire in Paterson destroyed one home and damaged two others, displacing 31 people, Paterson’s fire chief said.

The fire started at 661 Second St. around 6:30 a.m. Monday. Paterson Fire Chief Michael Postorino said that by the time firefighters arrived at the scene, the flames had spread to two neighboring homes. 

The original structure collapsed, making the search for people inside the home difficult. Postorino said that two people were initially unaccounted for but were later located.

Arson investigators were called to the scene to determine the cause of the fire.