A two-alarm fire tore through a multifamily home in Paterson on Thursday, displacing several families just before Christmas.

The fire damaged two multifamily homes, along with a business on East 18th Street in Paterson. The fire started around 11 a.m., according to officials.

Joel Susana says he was asleep when his father burst into his room to get him and the rest of his family out.

“I just see smoke pouring in. His side of the room was completely on fire,” Susana says.

Tenants who fled the flames say they think it started on the back side of the building.

"There was smoke coming from the porch into our window and then the top side of my dad’s room caught on fire and that’s where we keep all our documents and stuff,” Susana says.

Officials say that 10 people have been displaced - four adults and six children. The American Red Cross is helping the families. A 6-year-old girl was treated for smoke inhalation.

All of this happened as Paterson continued to deal with major flooding around the city. Dozens of families have been displaced by the flooding. Paterson public schools will be closed through the new year.