PATERSON, N.J. (WABC) --
The first fire broke out at about 1 p.m. Wednesday on Godwin Avenue in Paterson.
The fire started in one house and spread to four others. Firefighters said the homes are wood-framed structures and there's not much distance between the homes, so the fire was able to spread easily and quickly.
At the same time firefighters were battling the first fire, a second fire broke out at three abandoned homes on Rosa Parks Avenue down the street.
Fire departments from surrounding areas responded to help fight the fires.
In all, six firefighters suffered minor injures -- one has a knee injury, another a contusion and the rest smoke or heat-related injuries.
Thirty-one people who lived in the homes on Godwin were displaced as a result of the fire. No residents were injured.
There's no word yet what started the fires.