The fire started just after 4 p.m. inside a three-story building on Godwin Avenue near Straight Street in the western portion of Paterson.
The building is vacant and used to be an apartment building.
Firefighters, concerned about further flareups, are keeping a close eye on the building.
Most of the roof has collapsed and the building may need to be torn down.
The Solomon Temple Church is adjacent to the fire and has not been damaged.
So far, there is no word on any injuries.
Firefighters were able to get the fire under control late Thursday night, but remained on the scene to put out any hot spots that popped back up.
LINK: PHOTOS FROM THE SCENE
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