Paterson fire on 12th Avenue displaces 15 people
By Jonathan Greene
Published: July 11, 2017
15 people were displaced following a three-alarm fire at a house on 12th Avenue early Tuesday morning, according to the American Red Cross.
Fire at 248 12th Avenue was reported at around 12:25 a.m. Firefighters found the three-story building fully engulfed.
The blaze threatened the Calvary Baptist Church next door. Firefighters prevented the flames from spreading to the church. Rev. Randall Lassiter said the church suffered minor damage as a result of the flames next door. He said the church had to move its summer camp and pre-school program elsewhere.
“No one was hurt. We thank God for that,” said Lassiter. “We’re damaged, but the families next door don’t have anything. In the scope of life, we’re okay here, we just suffered physical building damage.”
The church has insurance which will pay to repair the damages to the building, Lassiter said.
Fire was brought under control at 2:30 a.m.
The displaced residents have been provided temporary lodging and emergency assistance by the American Red Cross.