Five-Alarm Fire At Paterson Armory Closes Nearby Schools
PATERSON, N.J. (CBSNewYork/AP) -- Firefighters continue to pour water on a stubborn fire at the Paterson Armory.
Crews have been on the scene since the five-alarm fire started around 11 p.m. Monday. It's not clear how the blaze started, but heavy smoke could be seen spewing from the building.
The fire began in the basement and spread throughout the entire structure, CBS2's Emily Smith reported.
There are no reports of injuries. The imposing structure on Market Street was built in 1896 and has not been in use since 1990. It housed a National Guard headquarters in the 1980s.
Neighbors say there has been talk of turning the structure into a recreation center over the last few years but lately it's been a hangout for drug addicts.
"It's a shame," one woman said. "If it ain't no shooting and killing, it's burning down stuff."
"An abandoned building caught on fire on this block. The one next to my house ... caught on fire a couple of weeks ago," said Chiquita Johnson. "Somebody's burning down the buildings. I don't know what's going on. The safety of our kids is what's important."
Johnson's family was evacuated from their apartment building in the middle of the night and are receiving help from the Red Cross.
Eastside High School, School 11, School 15, Roberto Clemente, New Roberto Clemente and Madison Early Learning schools are closed Tuesday because of smoke in the area.
Giovanni Feliciano recorded video of the fire on his cellphone while on his way to school, which ended up being closed for the day.
"But my mom still brought me to see if it was true, and that's when I seen the fire," he told Smith.
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