Dozens forced from homes after Passaic church fire spreads

PASSAIC (WABC) -- Dozens of people have been left homeless but no injuries were reported when a fire destroyed a church and damaged several other buildings in northern New Jersey.

The fire apparently started around 9:30 p.m. Sunday in an alley next to the Word of God Temple in Passaic and let about 45 people homeless.

"It started with a piece of wood next to the church," area resident Mirna Cruz said. "And the church went on fire."

Firefighters arrived within minutes to find raging flames. Fire Chief Patrick Trentacost says the fire spread quickly due to the close proximity of the buildings, which had "gasoline siding," which Trentacost says helps fan fire.

"Firefighters made their way to the first and second floors found no victims," Passaic Mayor Alex Blanco said. "As they got to the third floor, they were met with heat and fire and had to evacuate."

Firefighters called in help from neighboring towns as the older buildings acted like kindling.

Investigators say the fire began in the alley between the church and the building, which had six apartments. All of the families will have to find new homes, and all of them are lucky their neighbor spotted the fire and banged on their doors before it got to their apartments.

Investigators are looking for the cause of the fire, and they have received cell phone video and spoken to people who say they thought they heard an explosion first.

The pastor of the Word of God Temple, Juana Perez, is grateful no one was injured.

"It's devastating because all of their equipment was lost," Perez said. "Thankfully, no lives (were) lost."

At least 12 buildings were evacuated and at least 75 people sought shelter in a nearby church.

Firefighters battled the flames for about three hours until the fire was brought under control.