Paterson Building Owner Pleads Not Guilty in Fatal Fire

The owner of a multi-family building in northern New Jersey where four people were killed in a fire two years ago has pleaded not guilty to four counts of manslaughter.

Passaic County prosecutors claim the June 2010 blaze occurred because 63-year-old Florence Brown failed to make necessary electric repairs at the three-story building in Paterson. They say investigators determined that an electrical overload due to faulty wiring caused the early morning blaze, which began in the basement.

Nine people were living in the building at the time of the fire. Two men and two women were killed.

Brown entered her plea Monday during a brief court hearing. If convicted, Brown could face up to 10 years in state prison.