More than 40 units of an apartment building in the Blackwood section of Gloucester Township, New Jersey, are uninhabitable after a fire that has drawn a massive response from local agencies. 

The blaze broke out sometime after 2 a.m. Saturday morning on the 1500 block of Little Gloucester Road in Building C of the Autumn Ridge Apartments. When crews arrived, they experienced heavy smoke and flames coming from the third floor of the building.

Newly appointed Gloucester Township Police Chief Anthony Minosse told CBS News Philadelphia multiple rescues were made, with one person being airlifted by medevac. He said a firefighter was also sent to the hospital but is now in stable condition. 

Five residents were hospitalized, one with serious injuries, according to GTPD.

Gloucester Township Mayor David R. Mayer said this is a "very bad" situation, but it could have been a lot worse. He says the Red Cross is on scene assisting the nearly 100 residents who were displaced. 

The fire has since been placed under control, but some crews remain on scene putting out hot spots.

The American Red Cross said more than 40 units of the building are uninhabitable at this time. Teams are working to determine how many people are displaced and in need of shelter and assistance.

Neighbors described waking up to chaos early Saturday morning as flames tore through part of the Autumn Ridge Apartments.

"I could see the embers — they were like coming toward my window," said neighbor Wendy Griffin, who lives next door in Building B.

Griffin says she watched from her window as multiple fire departments rushed to control the blaze.

"I watched the whole thing as the fire kept growing," she said. "I'm seeing people leave — people half-dressed because they were basically running outside. It was scary."

Another Building B resident, Jocelyn Moore, said she could smell the smoke from inside her apartment before deciding to leave. She told CBS News Philadelphia her heart breaks for those who lost everything.

"These are somebody's homes. These are people," Moore said. "I can't imagine what is lost from what happened. And I don't know what the road ahead looks like for them."

Gloucester Township Mayor David Mayer said he's grateful that all residents have been accounted for.

"This situation could've been a lot worse," Mayer said. "Of course, we're going to focus on those that were injured."