Some unique challenges were faced by Paterson and mutual aid companies as they battled a five alarm blaze on April 13^th in a building that once housed a bank many years ago .

At 6:40 PM, on arrival, a light smoke condition was showing from 167 Market Street in the middle of downtown  Paterson across the street from City Hall. The four story building with large columns in front was being occupied as a furniture store after ceasing to be a bank decades ago. 

Firefighters cut the roll-down front door and accessed the basement through the Bilco doors on the sidewalk. Heavy gray smoke issued from the doors as companies searched for the seat of the fire. Two lines were stretched. A second alarm followed by a third was transmitted as the seat of the fire could not be located. At 7:20 all companies were withdrawn to regroup due to heavy smoke and obstacles including a vault in the basement. The deep seated fire in the basement prompted a fourth alarm to be sounded for additional manpower at 7:40. Light smoke was showing from the roof and a request for the Police Drone Unit to respond. Light smoke was also showing from 165 Market St. entrance and floors above.  Companies re-entered and was making slow progress, but the deep seated fire could not be accessed. Hackensack Air Unit and the Hackensack UASI Rescue was requested to assist in breaching the thick bank floor to get to the basement fire.

At approximately the fire was deemed a fifth alarm. A opening to the basement was completed and progress was being made. At 1:30 AM the blaze was placed probably will hold and some units began to be released. Two firefighters were transported to the hospital, one due to a fall and one with heat exhaustion. The cause is under investigation.