You probably woke up to the sound of sirens if you live anywhere near the Eastside or the Wallington border recently. Honestly, it’s been a brutal stretch for the Passaic Fire Department. In just the last week or so, we’ve seen multiple three-alarm fires rip through residential neighborhoods, leaving families scrambling and the city’s resources stretched thin.
If you're looking for the latest on the fire in passaic today, you've likely seen the smoke plumes from miles away. It's not just one incident; it's a pattern that has local officials and residents on edge. From the terrifying early morning blaze on Hope Avenue to a second major fire just days later on Quincy Street, the city is reeling.
The Hope Avenue Disaster: 3 Alarms and a Hospitalized Resident
It started in the dark. At 158-164 Hope Avenue, a massive fire broke out early Friday morning, January 9, 2026. This wasn't just a kitchen flare-up. By the time the first engines arrived, flames were already "tearing through" multiple homes.
Passaic Mayor Hector Lora was on the scene quickly, as he usually is. He confirmed that nine people from four different apartments were suddenly homeless. One resident had to be rushed to the hospital for smoke inhalation.
Think about that for a second.
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You’re asleep, and suddenly you’re being dragged out into the cold New Jersey winter. Among those evacuated was a 7-month-old baby. Luckily, the mayor confirmed the infant is doing fine, but the trauma for that family is going to last a lot longer than the fire itself.
The response was massive. Because the fire escalated so quickly to three alarms, Passaic couldn't handle it alone. We saw mutual aid from:
- Clifton
- Paterson
- Garfield
- Rutherford
- Carlstadt
They had ladders stretched to the very top of the buildings while firefighters scrambled onto roofs to keep the fire from jumping to the next row of houses. In a city as densely packed as Passaic, that's the biggest fear. One house goes, and the whole block is at risk.
Lightning Strikes Twice: The Quincy Street Fire
Just when everyone thought they could breathe, it happened again. On January 10, 2026—literally the next day—another three-alarm fire hit 46 Quincy Street.
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What’s wild is how it was discovered. Truck Company 1 was actually driving back from a follow-up check on a previous call when they saw smoke. Residents were literally standing in the street waving them down.
This building was a mix of shops on the bottom and apartments on top. The fire started on the third floor and got into the "cockloft"—that empty space between the ceiling and the roof. Once fire gets in there, it’s a nightmare to put out.
It took about an hour to get it under control, but the cost was high. Seventeen more people were displaced. Two firefighters ended up in the hospital—one with a back injury and another with a shoulder injury. These guys are working overtime in freezing conditions, and it’s taking a toll.
Why This Keeps Happening in Passaic
People always ask, "Why Passaic?"
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Kinda comes down to the architecture. A lot of these buildings are older, mixed-use structures with wood frames. They weren't built with modern fire-blocking materials. When a fire starts in a three-story residential-over-commercial building like the one on Quincy Street, it travels through the walls and the roof spaces faster than most people realize.
Also, the sheer density of the city makes it tough. Parking is a nightmare on a good day; imagine trying to swing a massive ladder truck around those tight corners while cars are parked on both sides of the street.
What You Need to Do Right Now
If you’re living in Passaic or the surrounding Passaic County area, don't just read the news and move on. The Red Cross is currently assisting the families from both Hope Avenue and Quincy Street with emergency housing. They need support.
Check your smoke detectors. Seriously. In the Ringwood fire just a couple of days ago (January 16), a 74-year-old woman unfortunately lost her life because she couldn't get out in time. Seven others escaped, but she didn't. Most of these fires are happening in the early morning hours when people are least prepared.
Actionable Steps for Passaic Residents:
- Test your alarms tonight. Not tomorrow. Tonight.
- Clear the hydrants. We’ve had some snow and ice. If there’s a hydrant in front of your house, shovel it out. Firefighters shouldn't have to dig for water while a house is burning.
- Watch your space heaters. It’s cold. Everyone is plugging them in. Keep them at least three feet away from anything that can burn—curtains, beds, even the wall.
- Support the displaced. Reach out to the Mayor's office or local community centers. Twenty-six people lost everything in 48 hours this month. They need clothes, toiletries, and help getting back on their feet.
The investigation into what sparked the fire in passaic today is still active. The Passaic Fire Investigation Team is looking at everything from electrical issues to kitchen accidents. We'll know more once the official reports are filed, but for now, the priority is keeping the city safe during this run of bad luck.