A massive predawn fire ripped through three multi-family homes in Paterson, N.J., Monday morning, sending people running for their lives.
One man who escaped praised his dog, Hazel, for saving his brother and another relative by barking loudly when the fire began in the home next door.
"My dog was barking, so we all woke up and got out of the house," said Ahmad Brownfield.
"She was just barking like crazy and we got up," said his brother, Jaquis Brownfield.
Ahmad Brownfield said he was able to grab his phone but left all his other belongings.
One person was rushed to the hospital and a firefighter with minor injuries was also taken away by ambulance, officials said.
Firefighters say the blaze erupted on East 23rd Street near 15th Avenue. It quickly spread to two houses nearby, reaching three alarms by 3:05 a.m..
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All three homes are multi-family structures. Authorities said 24 people were displaced.
Dozens of firefighters fought the blaze, with help from Passaic and Clifton companies.
The cause remains under investigation.
The Red Cross said it was helping those who were left homeless from the blaze.
