Firefighters and police rescued several people from a quick-moving fire that burned a block of rowhomes in Atlantic City.
When firefighters arrived on Belfield Avenue, they immediately called in a second alarm, Fire Chief Scott Evans said.
It then went to a third alarm within a minute.
"In my 36-year career, this has to be the biggest display of heroism I've ever seen," Evans said. "Firefighters just going into action, rescuing people out of burning homes."
Nine fire companies responded, along with fire administration and investigators, he said.
About 45 firefighters responded, according to a release put out by the city.
Before firefighters arrived, police rescued five people.
The Fire Department took out five more, including three from the third-floor using a ladder. A ladder was also used to remove one person from an end unit, Evans said.
There was also a rescue from one of the burning units.
Evans said it was not yet confirmed where the fire started, although it was believed to be a middle unit.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
People were living in all the units, although two units were boarded up, Evans said. It wasn't clear if the people were staying in those units legally.
Evans did not have numbers on those displaced.
[embedpress]https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1193771077962926&extid=CL-UNK-UNK-UNK-AN_GK0T-GK1C&mibextid=5Ufylb&ref=sharing[/embedpress]"We're still putting all the information together," he said.
There is also a language barrier.
The Red Cross is on scene assisting.
Three people were taken to the hospital, according to the city's release. No injuries were reported on scene.
The release listed six homes, which was the original number Evans gave. But he later told BreakingAC the block consists of five homes.
It took firefighters about 2½ to place the fire under control. Ventnor, Pleasantville and Absecon fire departments assisted.
