A fire ripped through three multi-family homes on Monday morning in Jersey City.
Fire officials say five units on Yale Avenue were damaged in the blaze that broke out at around 9 a.m.
Residents reported hearing a loud bang before seeing smoke and flames pour from the back of one of the homes.
Three firefighters suffered minor injuries will bringing the fire under control. No residents were injured.
The American Red Cross says it is helping 18 residents from the five affected units with emergency assistance.