Fire officials are looking into the cause of a fire that destroyed a home and damaged others in Paterson Friday morning.
According to officials, heavy fire tore through a home in the 100 block of Lafayette Avenue around 3 a.m. sending firefighters to the scene to do battle.
Upon arrival, crews found flames tearing through the roof of a two-story wood-framed house with extensions to homes on both sides.
Fire officials requested a second, then a third alarm for manpower as the fire intensified and a search for possible trapped occupant began to occur.
Officials said a total of three structures were damaged due to the fire, which was placed under control around 4:45 a.m. with no injuries reported.
17 people have been left homeless.
The cause of the fire has not been determined at this time.