A fire at a Newark apartment building Tuesday left more than 20 residents homeless.

The blaze occurred at 69 Broadway around 4:30 p.m. Authorities say three residents needed hospital treatment for smoke inhalation. No other injuries have been reported. Nearby residents were also evacuated due to the heavy smoke.

An off-duty fire chief responded to the scene and attempted to save an elderly couple trapped by the fire. Chief Paul Horvath said he was able to calm the couple down, but all three of them needed to be helped from the building by firefighters.

Horvath praised the responders for saving lives.

?Our firefighters did excellent,? he said. ?Excellent job of bringing these people home to families tonight.?

The Red Cross is providing families left homeless by the fire with hotels and food.