A three-alarm fire damaged at least two Paterson homes Tuesday afternoon.

The fire started at 22 Knickerbocker Ave. around 1 p.m. The fire then spread to the neighboring home due to the wind.

Several families were displaced following the fire. Many witnesses told News 12 New Jersey about the heroic efforts of several good Samaritans who helped rescue some of the people still left inside.

One of those good Samaritans was Tariq Sawabha. He told News 12 that he helped a woman and her cat get out of the home.

Several dogs, cats and birds were also rescued.

Paterson Mayor Andre Sayegh says that two firefighters were injured. One firefighter had a hand injury and is expected to be OK. The injury to the other firefighter was not clear, but it did not appear to be life-threatening.

The American Red Cross is assisting those who were displaced.