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| Photo: Straight & Narrow website |
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| Photo: Straight & Narrow website |
On Aug. 24, 2019, a five-alarm fire destroyed Paterson's largest halfway house.
The blaze at Straight and Narrow, 410 Straight St., displaced 200 people but there were no injuries despite the intensity of the flames.
The smoke plume was visible for miles.
A statement issued by Straight and Narrow said:
"A small isolated blaze quickly turned into a five-alarm fire, sending plumes of black smoke into the air.
"Thank you to our working Straight and Narrow employees, who, when the alarm sounded, acted diligently and professionally. Our service recipients evacuated quickly and calmly, and none of our employees or clients were hurt."
The statement also said:
"It is times like these that our community comes together and we have many people to thank. We would especially like to acknowledge:
"Paterson's brave firefighters, police officers and all first responders for their quick action which prevented an even worse disaster. Special thanks to Fire Chief Brian McDermott, Police Director Jerry Speziale, and Police Chief Troy Oswald.
"The additional fire departments who bravely assisted including Boonton, Parsipanny, Bloomfield, Pompton Lakes, Fairfield, Wanaque, Wyckoff and West Milford."
Six Alarms in June
Earlier in the summer, on June 25, a six-alarm fire destroyed a row of homes on Summer Street in Paterson, Channel 7 Eyewitness News reported. Firefighters suffered heat exhaustion. "It really is very stewy out here, and it's taken down our firefighters," Fire Chief Brian McDermott said.
