Some of the families displaced after a fire broke out at their Piscataway apartment complex say they feel fortunate that things weren’t worse.

It quickly became clear to the residents at the Avalon Piscataway apartment complex that Thursday afternoon’s fire alarms weren’t a drill.

“We were at home, sitting down about to eat lunch, and the fire alarms went off,” said displaced resident Dhaval Shah. “Sometimes we get false alarms, so I went downstairs to check.”

“This one was the real one,” said displaced resident Abel Tirado.

The roughly 20 families all got out safely. New Market Fire Department said what began as a call for a mulch fire quickly spread.

“The fire was very fast-moving,” Shah said. “I could smell it, so I went around the corner to see what was happening, and the entire side of the building was on fire from the first floor all the way up.

“From what I’m hearing, if the fire had taken over the roof, the entire building would have been in flames.”

Firefighters saved several animals. All the families have been displaced. Four units are heavily damaged.

“We left the apartment with absolutely nothing, our baby was still in his sleep sack,” Shah said.

“We were there a few hours ago just trying to get our belongings, a few things for the weekend,” Tirado said. “They’re already painting and cleaning.”

The Red Cross is assisting several families. Many are in local hotels at their own expense.

“Having three young kids, logistically and financially, it’s very stressful right now trying to figure out what we’re going to do next,” Shah said. “They think it’s a fun little vacation, but it’s not the most ideal situation.”

Residents say their neighbors are helping pick up the pieces.

“There’s people out there trying to help them out,” Tirado said.

“Trying to support each other as much as we can, keep our spirits up,” Shah said.

No injuries were reported.