A fire damaged a multi‑family home on Spruce Street in Yonkers just after 6 p.m. Tuesday and left 14 people unable to return home.

Crews say the fire appeared to have started in what looked like a utility room near the garage area and spread into the first floor on both sides of the building.

The fire chief said there was not much extension to the second floor, but there was extensive damage in the areas where the fire did spread.

No one was home at the time, and no firefighters were injured.

Cold conditions made the response difficult as water froze quickly on the road and created slippery conditions for firefighters.

"It's very cold, we're very cold. The ice is a hindrance for sure," Yonkers Fire Department Chief Frank Marino said.