JERSEY CITY, NJ - Initially reported as an outside fire in the rear of a rooming house, flames quickly extended up to the top floor of the three-and-half story, single-room-occupancy building on Sherman Place, March 8th.

At the rear of the structure is a parking lot with its entrance on Central Avenue, and right across the street from the North District police precinct. The fire was reported at approximately 10:45 P.M. by police, according to city spokeswoman Kimberly Wallace-Scalcione.

Police officers were removing tenants to safety as fire units arrived. Heavy fire and smoke covered the rear of the building and a second-alarm was transmitted. This was later followed by a third-alarm.

Firefighters knocked down the visible flames and began to open up walls and ceilings. Ladder 2's aerial ladder was set up to reach the fire building from the parking lot.

Two residents and four police officers suffered minor injuries, according to the spokeswoman. In addition, four cats were found dead. Members of the Red Cross and the city's Office of Emergency Management were on the scene to assist the displaced residents. The Gong Club canteen unit was set up on Central Avenue, on the chilly evening.