Dozens Displaced After Fire Rips Through Several Passaic Buildings

PASSAIC, N.J. (CBSNewYork) -- At least 80 people are now looking for a new place to call home after a massive blaze ripped through several buildings in Passaic late Sunday night.

Passaic Mayor Alex Blanco said the fire appeared to start in the alley of a church on Columbia Avenue around 9:30 p.m. It quickly spread to nearby buildings.

"It was a terrifying scene, nightmarish. Flames all over,'' Blanco said. "It's probably going to be characterized as one of the biggest fires here.''

"The type of material on the building, we call it gasoline siding it is an asbestos shingle, petroleum-based shingle used in the 40s," said Chief Patrick Trentacost with the Passaic Fire Department. "What happens is once it lights up it really helps fan the fire."

Listen to Dozens Displaced After Fire Rips Through Several Passaic Buildings

The fire destroyed a church, apartment building and multiple garages, CBS2's Janelle Burrell reported.

Crews were able to bring the flames under control by about 11 p.m. Sunday.

No injuries were reported.

Displaced residents were directed to St. Nicholas Church and a senior center. Some families are being assisted by the Red Cross.

"Nervous nervous. You don't know what's next? I don't know what happened," said displaced resident Altagracia Pena.

"We opened the window and it's fast. In two minutes the building was completely on fire," said neighbor Edber Flores.

As investigators from the Passaic County Prosecutor's office went through the debris trying to determine what sparked the flames, there were special prayers at nearby St. Nicholas Church where some of the displaced stayed overnight, Burrell reported.

"If this fire was three o'clock in the morning, we'd be talking most likely a different scenario," said Trentacost.

Those displaced are being put in hotels by the Red Cross or staying with relatives, Burrell reported.

Donations are being taken at Passaic City Hall.

Fire officials said some residents were treated on scene for minor injuries and smoke exposure.

The cause remains under investigation.

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