10 people rescued after fire damages 5 homes in Atlantic City; officials call blaze 'suspicious'

ATLANTIC CITY, New Jersey (WPVI) -- Firefighters responded to a massive blaze in Atlantic City on Wednesday that left several people displaced from their homes.

Now, investigators are working to determine whether the fire was set intentionally.

Officials say the flames broke out just after 1 p.m. on the 1500 block of Belfield Avenue.

The fire was quickly upgraded to a 3-alarm blaze once crews were at the scene.

"The fire quickly spread horizontally into all five buildings at the same time and then vertically inside the buildings," said Fire Chief Scott Evans.

At least five rowhomes were damaged in the fire, each with multiple units inside.

Of the five homes, three were occupied at the time of the fire, according to officials.

The other two were supposed to be vacant, however, officials are investigating whether people were squatting inside when the blaze broke out.

Atlantic City police arrived at the scene first and were able to rescue five occupants.

Once fire crews arrived, they were able to put up a ladder and save five more people from the third floor of a home.

"The door was hot and everything, and I felt like if I opened the doors there would be a backdraft or something like that," said Nasheema Thorton from Atlantic City. "I was just scared, really scared. I didn't know what to do."

In total, 10 people were rescued from the burning buildings and three were taken to the hospital.

Their conditions are unknown at this time.

The other residents refused medical treatment, officials say.

No other injuries were reported at the scene.

Fire crews say the blaze was placed under control after roughly two and a half hours.

Ventnor, Pleasantville, and Absecon fire departments assisted during the incident.

Fire officials said this was one of the toughest fires they fought in decades.

"I haven't seen this in 36 years," said Evans. "The rescues were made from third-floor windows off ground ladders. Guys were running into burning buildings with smoke and fire, grabbing the occupants and bringing them out safely."

The American Red Cross was also at the scene, and there is no word yet on exactly how many residents were displaced.

Officials have also not released what started the fire.

The fire marshal's office was on the scene investigating and deemed the blaze "suspicious."