Fourteen families are homeless after a fire ripped through an apartment building on Avenue C in Bayonne early Saturday morning.

According to fire officials, the blaze started just after 1 a.m. outside of the building, where trash is stored.

"The fire was located between the two buildings which allowed the fire to spread up into the concealed roof area that hyped the fire and makes it a manpower operation to extinguish," said Bayonne Fire Chief Keith Weaver.

It took fire crews four hours to get the blaze under control.

All of the tenants were able to escape without injury, but two firefighters were injured when the building's roof collapsed.

They were taken to Jersey Medical Center with injuries that are not considered life-threatening.

The building, which also housed the Bayonne Giant Laundromat, was destroyed by the flames. News 12 is told demolition of the site will begin immediately.

The cause of the fire is not known at this time.

The Red Cross has opened a shelter at Bayonne High School for anyone in need.