21 displaced after four-alarm fire through homes in Bayonne, New Jersey

Nearly two dozen people were displaced after a massive fire tore through homes in Bayonne, New Jersey, on Friday evening, - ABC7 News reports.

Fire officials responded to the scene at around 10:40 p.m. as heavy flames engulfed three homes on West 11th Street. Bayonne Battalion Chief Frank Pawlowski reported that the blaze quickly escalated to a four-alarm fire, prompting assistance from first responders in Jersey City and surrounding Hudson County communities.

Firefighters managed to bring the fire under control around 1:40 a.m. on Saturday. Neighbors in the vicinity expressed relief that the flames didn't reach their homes.

"Suddenly, we heard banging on the door as police came to evacuate everyone. My wife looked out the window, and we saw sparks from the fire right in front of us. So, we grabbed the dog and the baby and got out," one man said.

The Red Cross is providing temporary housing, food, and other necessities to 21 people displaced by the fire.

Pawlowski noted that several other homes were affected after the pole supporting the street's power lines also caught fire.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation.