Paterson firefighters battled a large fire on East 16th Street, where heavy flames engulfed the rear of a residential building and threatened neighboring homes on both sides.

Crews attacked the fire from both inside and outside the building while conducting searches and working to keep the flames from spreading.

Firefighters eventually brought the fire under control and extinguished the flames in three affected buildings. All primary and secondary searches confirmed that no occupants were trapped inside.

The fire displaced 33 residents, who received assistance from local agencies and the Red Cross.

Two firefighters were injured during operations and transported to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Both were treated and later released.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation