A fatal fire on North 1st St. in Paterson Saturday afternoon. Saturday, February 15, claimed one life 7 injured several others, the mayor’s office confirmed.
The fire started around 1:30 p.m. Saturday on North First Street in Paterson. It rose to a three-alarm blaze and the house was completely gutted.
The victim, a 30-year-old man was identified as Andres Valdez. His family said he and his wife had to jump from a second-story window to escape the three-alarm fire.
Deputy fire chief Don Langvin said multiple people jumped from the house to escape the fire. Some of the injuries included broken bones, lacerations, and smoke inhalation. They are being treated at a local hospital.
A spokesperson for St. Joseph’s Medical Center said the hospital received 11 patients from the fire. Paterson’s Fire Chief Brian McDermott called it a “sad day” for the fire department and the city of Paterson.
Two firefighters were also injured but are said to be in stable condition.
Chief McDermott said the department is working with the Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office to determine the cause of the blaze. He said two firefighters were taken to the hospital for smoke inhalation but will be OK.