Three homes were evacuated and one resident was hospitalized as a fire tore through multiple homes on Hope Road early Friday morning. Crews battled flames and heavy smoke as the fire spread, prompting commanding officers to escalate the blaze to three alarms. Firefighters from several towns, including Garfield, Clifton, Rutherford, Paterson and Carlstadt, responded to assist the Passaic Fire Department.
Passaic Mayor Hector Lora told News 12 that residents from 158, 160 and 164 Hope Ave. were evacuated, and one resident was transported to a hospital for smoke inhalation. A total of nine people from four apartments were displaced as a result of the fire, the mayor said. Lora added that a 7-month-old baby who also resided in the home was evacuated and is doing fine.
The Red Cross is assisting the displaced residents with emergency housing and other necessities, Lora said. Ladders stretched to the top of the main building on fire, and firefighters could be seen on the roof trying to bring the blaze under control. Police closed multiple roads in the area near the fire, routing traffic away from the scene.
News 12 New Jersey
