Three maintenance workers are recovering from severe burns after a devastating fire at a Scotch Plains apartment complex Wednesday.

The blaze broke out around 11:20 a.m. at 256 Spruce Mill Road in the Lambersmill Village Garden Apartments and spread quickly. At least four apartments at the complex were destroyed and another three badly damaged.

The identities of the three victims have not been released. All three were airlifted to St. Barnabas Hospital, one with burns on 80 percent of his body.

Witnesses say one of the injured workers escaped by jumping through a window while engulfed in flames. The workers were working with floor varnish when the fire broke out.

No renters were home at the time.

"It appears accidental - that some spark or whatever caused the fire," says Lt. Brian Donnelly, of the Scotch Plains Fire Department.