Massive 5-Alarm Fire Destroys Abandoned Chemical Factory in Paterson, NJ

A five-alarm fire consumed an abandoned chemical factory in Paterson, New Jersey, beginning late Friday, April 3, 2026. The blaze, which is described as the city’s largest fire of 2026, required crews from throughout Passaic County to work overnight and into Saturday, April 4, 2026, to contain the flames.

The fire broke out around 11 p.m. At a one-story, 200-by-300-foot building located on East Main Street. The facility was a former dye manufacturing plant owned by the Galaxie Chemical Corporation. According to the Paterson Firefighters Association, the incident escalated quickly to three alarms and eventually reached five alarms due to water supply issues in the area.

Operational Challenges and Site Hazards

Firefighters faced significant infrastructure hurdles during the response. Paterson Deputy Fire Chief Michael Cleenput stated that the department had only one operational hydrant and suffered from severe low water pressure, which delayed the establishment of an effective firefight.

The building, which Cleenput noted had likely been abandoned for approximately two decades, also presented an unexpected hazard. Crews discovered a live gas feed still connected to the vacant structure, which they eventually managed to shut down.

The site has a history of environmental concerns and has been designated as a Superfund site. In 2018, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the state Department of Environmental Protection discovered hundreds of drums of chemicals at the facility following previous fires at the property.

Community Impact and Safety

The fire caused significant disruption to the surrounding neighborhood. Flames burned through the facility on Piercy Street near Presidential Boulevard and the Passaic River, damaging power lines and causing electricity losses for some local residents.

The intensity of the blaze threatened nearby homes. Local resident Ramon Pacheco reported that he felt the heat and saw flames from his window, prompting him to wake his wife and children and evacuate the house.

Local businesses also suffered losses. Ervio Taveras, who owns a car dealership across from the factory, reported the loss of two vehicles.

Regarding public health concerns, officials stated that the building had been decontaminated from the chemicals it once housed a year ago. Authorities have confirmed there is no longer an airborne threat to the public.

Current Status and Recovery

Firefighting operations continued into Saturday, April 4, 2026, as smoke continued to pour from the rubble throughout the day. To combat the flames, firefighters utilized cranes to douse the facility with water.

The Paterson mayor’s office has announced that the remains of the building will be demolished. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.