A fire in Paterson had people running from smoke and flames along the 700 block of East 18th Street Tuesday afternoon. Paterson fire officials tell News 12 New Jersey that the fire damaged three residential buildings and forced about 45 people from their homes. Those families in need will be getting help from the American Red Cross. The fire engulfed the rear of all three floors of one of the apartment buildings. Ladder trucks with the Paterson Fire Department clogged East 18th St. around 12:30 p.m. as firefighters made it to the neighborhood within three minutes to put down the flames. The most severe damage was on the rear of 790 East 18th Street where the fire is believed to have started. Veronica Almonte lives on the third floor. “When I got out of my room, my kitchen was already on fire,” Almonte said.