No serious injuries were disclosed, although one resident reportedly was treated after jumping from one house to another.
The cause of the blaze wasn't immediately determined. An investigation was continuing.
Meanwhile, the American Red Cross said it was "helping 14 families (23 people) with emergency assistance, including temporary lodging."
The fire began in the basement of one of the Harrison Street homes next to the Theodore Roosevelt School just after 8:30 p.m., authorities said.
It took a little over two hours to get the blaze under control, as dozens of firefighters joined their Passaic colleagues.
"Due to a fire in the neighborhood, School #10 and #10 annex will be closed on Thursday, February 2, 2017," Schools Supt. Pablo Munoz announced late Wednesday. "All other Passaic public schools and district offices will be open."
No school property was damaged, he said.
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