Paterson Armory fire still burns after 12+ hours

A fire at the Paterson Armory burned for more than 12 hours Tuesday.

The 7-alarm fire broke out 11 p.m. Monday night in the basement and has been remained out of control according to NorthJersey.com, which reports there is nothing left of the 90-year-old building but the skeleton of the roof.

More than 100 firefighters from several surrounding communities have been pouring hundreds of gallons of water on the Armory.

"You deluge it with water, hope at some point the water overtakes the fire," Paterson Fire Chief Michael Postorino told the newspaper.

Six schools around the area of the Armory on Market Street were closed on Tuesday and all evening and afternoon programs were canceled. The neighborhood was also evacuated for a time to one of the schools but have since been allowed back reported NorthJersey.com.

The building, which once housed the New Jersey National Guard, had been abandoned and fallen into disrepair in recent years according to the city website.