A 5-alarm fire in Hudson County forced the evacuation of a day care center and displaced more than a dozen residents.

The fire was first reported Friday morning on Avenue C between 19th and 20th streets in Bayonne in a strip of businesses with apartment units on top.

Officials say the fire started in the back of St. Marina Pharmacy and then spread throughout the building. Officials say that 30 children from Daycare Center Smile Of A Child had to be evacuated to the bank across the street as a precaution.

Witnesses tell News 12 New Jersey that several good Samaritans stopped to help get the children out of the day care center.

"They started to move the babies out, so I ran over there and I started helping them," said Malerie Maita, one of the people who helped.

About 30 toddlers ranging in age from 8 months to 3 years old were moved and then eventually reunited with their parents.

"It was very emotional for me. I just wanted to cry," said Maita.

Fire Chief Keith Weaver told News 12 that even Bayonne Councilman Lloyd Booker stopped to help.

"He called 911 and then stopped to assist children evacuating from the day care," Weaver said.

Sixteen people living in the apartment units above the building will be displaced, according to officials.

"[Smoke] was coming right out the top like a chimney. It was pretty crazy," said Kawali Brady, who lives above the day care. "I wasn't really thinking. My body just started moving and I saw everyone was outside already."

The American Red Cross is helping the people who were displaced. No injuries were reported.

Firefighters will remain on the scene to monitor hotspots and to make sure the fire does not reignite.