Trio of weekend fires in Paterson displaces 67 people

Twenty-seven people from seven families have been displaced and are being assisted by the Red Cross after a fire Sunday night ripped through two homes in Paterson.

News 12 Staff

Mar 8, 2021, 4:11 PM

Updated 1,312 days ago

Share:

Twenty-seven people from seven families have been displaced and are being assisted by the Red Cross after a fire Sunday night ripped through two homes in Paterson. 
The fire happened around 10 p.m. on Barnert Place. The two homes suffered heavy interior damage.
Video from a viewer on Twitter shows the flames pouring through the home. The smoke can be seen billowing from just beyond the apartment buildings.
“It’s always the worst day of your life when you are displaced from your home,” says Matthew Teter, with the American Red Cross.
There is still no word on a cause of the fire or if there are any injuries. The Red Cross is assisting them all with temporary shelter, food and clothing.
“I cannot say enough about our volunteers,” says Teter. “Keep in mind, most of the people responding to these incidents throughout the weekend are volunteers, part of our disaster action team serving Paterson.”
Firefighters in Paterson also dealt with a fire Sunday morning, from which they rescued a father and his 3-year-old daughter from flames, as well as a third fire Friday night. The fire Sunday morning destroyed a three-story apartment building on Fair Street.
“Thankfully no injuries at this time, which says a lot when 67 people are displaced, as well as all the firefighters involved,” says Mayor Andre Sayegh.
In all, 67 people in Paterson are getting Red Cross help from the three weekend fires. Paterson’s Health & Human Services Department is helping as well.
The mayor reminds residents to make sure smoke alarms are working and to be careful not to accidentally start a fire.