A fire broke out around 2 a.m. at a building on Palisade Avenue in Jersey City as firefighters rushed to the scene.
The building sits between Franklin and Ravine streets, where windows were blown out, and fire trucks blocked the roadway as dozens of firefighters responded.
Video from the scene showed flames shooting through the roof during the overnight fire.
A woman who lives on the bottom floor said neighbors helped one another get out safely. “I was sleeping all of a sudden people screaming fire… just ran out the building. Thanks to God we’re alive, good everybody is safe,” Brenda Colon said.
One resident was taken to the hospital for smoke inhalation, officials said.
The Red Cross is helping residents affected by the fire and working to get them a warm place to stay. Residents have been allowed back inside briefly to gather belongings, with people seen carrying bags and suitcases in the cold.
Firefighters worked amid mounds of snow and ice. The city said crews were not impeded, though some hoses froze because of icy conditions.
Water was visible inside the building, with damage reported across all four floors and charred debris seen on the top floor.
Salting and cleanup efforts continued as crews remained on scene. The cause remains under investigation.