Historic Meyer Brothers Department Store Fire On Main Street In Paterson

PATERSON, NJ - In a tragic incident that forever scarred the town of Paterson, New Jersey, a violent explosion and fire erupted at the Meyer Brothers Department Store building located at 161 Main Street. The date was January 17, 1991. The repercussions of this catastrophic event would be felt for years to come.

The Catastrophe Unleashed
At approximately 5:54 a.m., the City of Paterson Fire Department responded to a structure fire at Underground II, a clothing store within the building that had once housed Meyer Brothers. The fire rapidly escalated, whipped by strong winds, and spread throughout the downtown area. The thick black smoke cast a pall over the old industrial city, home to approximately 149,000 people.

The Grim Toll
Tragically, the fire claimed the life of a brave Paterson firefighter. John A. Nicosia, a 28-year-old member of Engine 4, entered the clothing store with several others but failed to return when they were driven out by the intense heat and smoke. His body was recovered two days later from the basement of the initial structure. John Nicosia had served as a firefighter for about five years.

The Battle Against the Inferno
By midmorning, nearly 400 firefighters from Paterson and surrounding towns in Passaic, Essex, and Bergen Counties were at the scene. The fire destroyed at least 15 stores, including the entire block of buildings where Meyer Brothers once stood. The heat was so intense that it ignited the roofs of other commercial buildings along Washington Street to the east. Despite their valiant efforts, the exhausted firefighters struggled to contain the blaze.

Investigation and Community Impact
Officials did not immediately determine the cause of the fire. Collapsing walls and ceilings made the search for the missing firefighter perilous. The entire block was reduced to smoldering ruins, leaving a void in the heart of Paterson. The loss of Meyer Brothers, a major department store, was deeply felt by the community.

Historic Meyer Brothers Department Store Fire On Main Street In Paterson
Thursday, January 17, 1991
ALL COUNTY NEWS

Paterson Fire History:
https://www.patersonfirehistory.com/m...

New York Times:
http://www.nytimes.com/1991/01/18/nyr...