1 dead, up to 6 unaccounted for in NJ fire
(Associated Press)

One person is dead and as many as six are unaccounted for in a fire that swept through three homes in northern New Jersey Wednesday.

Deputy Chief Scott MacGilvray of the Paterson Fire Department says the dead person was among two people critically injured in the early morning three-alarm blaze.

MacGilvray says between three to six people are missing.

Authorities have brought in trained dogs and heavy equipment, but the search has been stymied because the rubble is not stable.

The fire began in a home at 465 East 31st Street around 2:40 a.m. MacGilvray says flames spread to the homes on either side.

The first home collapsed and the fire was declared under control nearly three hours later.

No names have been released and officials are trying to determine the cause.

Eleven people have been displaced.

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