Fire Officials in Paterson are investigating the cause of a multi-alarm fire that destroyed a building in the city early Monday morning.
According to Paterson Fire officials, heavy fire ripped through a brick top mixed-used building with apartments on the top floors and commercial establishment on the bottom level located at 257 River Street shortly before 1 a.m.
Firefighters arriving at the scene found thick smoke billowing from an apartment while flames tore through the windows then up to the roof.
Crews struck a second, then third alarm when flames began to extend to neighboring structures. Officials say as many as five alarms were activated.
Firefighters evacuated the burning building when flames intensified and began to race inside the cocklofts according to reports.
A preliminary search of the building indicated no trapped or injured occupants and as of 3:30 a.m., the fire was not placed under control.