A three-alarm blaze apparently began in a car in the driveway and quickly spread to the 2½-story wood-frame home on Lafayette Avenue around 4:30 p.m. on January 7th. As companies pulled out of the Westside firehouse a collum of smoke was visible in the distance only a few blocks away. Heavy fire was engulfing the side of that home and spreading to all floors. Firefighter also had fierce, frigid winds to deal with, as well as live wires that fell into the street and a small fire on a neighboring house that was ignited by flying embers. Due to fire conditions worsening fire vented through the roof, forcing companies to go defensive. The home was located across the street from the emergency room at St. Mary's Hospital.

Passaic Mayor Hector Carlos Lora said he was told by police that all 13 people believed inside the home were accounted for -- including the two rescued by police officers Mutual aid came from Carstadt, Clifton, Rutherford and Wallington assisted on the scene, while others stood by .One firefighter was hospitalized for an injury that required stitches to the head.