Three homes were evacuated and one resident was hospitalized as a fire tore through multiple homes on Hope Avenue early Friday morning.

Crews battled flames and heavy smoke as the fire spread, prompting commanding officers to escalate the blaze to three alarms. Firefighters from several towns, including Garfield, Clifton, Rutherford, Paterson and Carlstadt, responded to assist the Passaic Fire Department.

Ladders stretched to the top of the main building on fire, and firefighters could be seen on the roof trying to bring the blaze under control.

Police closed multiple roads in the area near the fire, routing traffic away from the scene.

Passaic Mayor Hector Lora told News 12 that residents from 158, 160 and 164 Hope Ave. were evacuated. The mayor said. one resident was taken to a hospital for smoke inhalation.

A total of nine people from four apartments were displaced as a result of the fire, according to the mayor. Lora added that a 7-month-old baby was among those evacuated and is doing fine. The Red Cross is assisting the displaced residents with emergency housing and other necessities.