Fire Engulfs Small Church in New Jersey: Officials

A fire engulfed a small church in New Jersey late Sunday and spread to an adjacent building, displacing about 80 residents, officials said.

Firefighters battled the blaze at the Word of God Temple, an Assembly of God church on Columbia Avenue in Passaic. The two-story structure was gutted and partially collapsed.

The fire spread to a three-story apartment house next door to the church and two other structures, fire officials said. Mayor Alex Blanco said 80 people were displaced. The Red Cross was helping those who needed assistance finding shelter for the evening.

The Bergen Record reports a total of 12 buildings along Washington Place and Columbia Avenue were evacuated. 

There were no reports of injuries from officials.

Police closed the Ackerman Avenue exit on Route 21 because of the fire. 

The cause of the fire was not immediately known.

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