Fire at Paterson Armory closes nearby schools

PATERSON, N.J. (AP) — Authorities say the vacant Paterson Armory will have to be demolished so they can control a stubborn fire that has burned through the roof.

The fire broke out around 11 p.m. Monday in the basement of the imposing structure on Market Street that was built in 1896 and has not been in use since 1990. It was still not under control Tuesday afternoon, and fire officials said they wouldn't be able to extinguish the blaze unless the structure was knocked down.

Nearby residents were asked to keep their windows closed or to relocate to a temporary shelter. And several schools in the city were closed Tuesday because of the fire.

A firefighter was being treated at a hospital for a back injury.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.