Authorities say a massive fire in a Cape May County town has severely damaged three homes, hurt at least two people and left one elderly woman missing.

The fire in Sea Isle City broke out shortly before noon Thursday, sending large plumes of thick, black smoke into the air.

The Cape May County prosecutor's office says in a statement that two residents of one of the homes were taken to a hospital for burns and smoke inhalation. The prosecutor's office says an elderly woman from the same family is missing.

Authorities believe the fire started in a home and soon spread to two duplexes, which are about two blocks from the ocean. The home where the blaze started was destroyed, while the other structures were severely damaged.

t was not immediately clear what caused the fire.