The fire broke out in one house on Central Avenue just before 3:45 a.m. and quickly spread to two others.
One firefighter, searching for a person reportedly trapped, was forced to jump out a second-floor window during a flashover. "Everything all at once lights up like a book of matches," Passaic Fire Chief Patrick Trentacost said.
The report of the trapped resident turned out to be false.
Other firefighters also became trapped inside the burning home and crawled out a second-floor window and onto a fire truck ladder.
In all, three firefighters were taken to St. Joseph's Hospital. Their injuries are not believed to be life threatening.
About 25 residents were left homeless.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
The owner of the original fire building appears to have been a hoarder, and the debris hampered firefighters efforts and fueled the flames. That building may have to be demolished.
CLICK HERE for images from the scene.
---
WAKE UP WITH EYEWITNESS NEWS! Click here to download the WABC Eyewitness News Alarm Clock app from iTunes. or search WABC or 7online in the app store.
