Four-alarm fire rips through Paterson church

PATERSON (AP) — Authorities are investigating the cause of a four-alarm fire that ripped through a church in north Jersey.

The blaze broke out late Wednesday night at the Central Baptist Church in Paterson.

Church members safely fled as flames devoured the wooden structure.

Battalion Chief Brian McDermott tells The Record the Passaic County Prosecutor's Office is investigating to make sure the church was not targeted. He says the investigation was prompted by how quickly the fire spread.

The church as razed early Thursday because the steeple was in a precarious position.

One firefighter was treated and released for an unknown injury.

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