Nearly two dozen Terrace Avenue residents were displaced as a result.
At least two people were rescued from the homes, before flames spread to a car parked in front of one of them, NBC reports.
Footage captured by neighbor Sky Aviles shows the moment a car tire exploded in the massive blaze that brought more than 100 firefighters to the scene.
The cause remains under investigation.
Click here to follow Daily Voice Garfield-Lodi and receive free news updates.