2-alarm fire tears through building in Paterson

PATERSON (WABC) -- Firefighters battled a stubborn two-alarm fire that tore through a residential building in New Jersey early Friday.

The flames broke out at a 2 1/2-story structure on Rosa Parks Boulevard at the intersection with 12th Avenue, just a few blocks north of the intersection with Broadway, just after 5 a.m.

The building has a liquor store on the first floor and apartments on the second floor and in the attic.

The fire has burned up through the second and third floors, with heavy damage to both sides of the building.

Some portions were completely burned out.

The visible flames were knocked down by around 6:30 a.m., but smoke continued to pour from the structure.

One woman suffered smoke inhalation and was treated at St. Joseph's Regional Medical Center.

Nine residents who lived above the liquor store were left temporarily homeless.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.