Residents in Morris Heights described moments of panic and confusion after a fire tore through a building on Nelson Avenue Sunday afternoon. The fire forced people to evacuate and sent heavy smoke into the air.

Resident Angel Garcia-Reyes said his first instinct after hearing what sounded like an explosion was to help others get out safely.

“When you see the fire what’s your first reaction...help my mom out, help the neighbors,” Garcia-Reyes told News 12.

Garcia-Reyes said he rushed to help his mother and neighbors evacuate as flames spread through the building.

His mother, Madeline Reyes, described the fear inside the apartment as smoke began to fill the area.

“So in a panic when we heard the explosion,” Reyes said. “I saw the smoke...he came in, closed the window, got us out and we kept running away from this part.”

The family safely escaped the building along with their 10-year-old Chihuahua.

“She was shaking ... she was really scared,” Reyes said of the dog. “Thank God I was with her when this happened.”

Neighbors nearby also reported hearing what sounded like an explosion before seeing smoke.

“So I heard an explosion and at first, I thought it was one of those trucks, it was a speedbump,” said Genesis Flores, who lives in the neighborhood. “And we saw the smoke, smelled the smoke.”

People experiencing homelessness in the area said residents in the building were known for helping others in the community.

“Amazing people there, they take care of us, when we’re hungry, they feed us,” one person said.

“I just hope they weren’t in there and they are fine...that’s all I hope,” said another.

The fire happened during one of the warmest days of the year.

Details about the cause of the fire or whether there were any injuries were still not known as of Sunday night.