by Lou Young
NEW YORK (CBS) - More than 200 people were homeless Monday after a devastating fire ripped through four buildings on the Lower East Side.
The flames spread in such a way firefighters had a difficult time staying ahead of them, starting near the street and then spreading up to the rooftop by way of a shaftway.
"The way in which it took off, it was insane," one woman said. "These guys were working all night and it's still not under control."
Terrified residents found themselves in danger of being surrounded. James Villamaire is one of the hundreds of apartment dwellers who had to flee.
"You stand on the street you're just watching your building catch fire. It's just not pleasant," Villamaire said. "We got a couple of things out, yeah, but the whole building is a wreck."
The Red Cross put up almost 100 people Sunday night and is providing emergency help for again that many for Monday night and Tuesday.
Two elderly residents were taken away suffering from serious smoke inhalation. A 90-year-old man that was rescued from a fire escape. Firefighters suffered burns for their efforts, but are proud of the job they did.
"It was a tremendous rescue effort on the part of the firefighters, "FDNY Commissioner Sal Cassano said. "We had heavy fire and they were above the fire taking people down the front and back fire escapes. If it was not for the heroic efforts of the firefighters I'm sure we would have lost a few people."
On Monday afternoon the scene facing Grand Street was one of empty windows framed by broken glass and smoke-stained masonry. Some things were still burning inside.
Fire marshals have not yet been to the ignition source to begin their investigation.
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