A three-alarm fire that broke out this afternoon in Jersey city damaged four buildings and displaced as many as 20 residents.
According to authorities, firefighters responded to the 600 block of Newark Avenue shortly after 3:30 p.m. for a report of a fire.
Upon arrival, crews found heavy fire on the top floors and roofs of - 629 and 631 - two attached three-story buildings.
Officials say Hudson County Sheriff's Officer Azmi Tosca was in the area when he saw the smoke and called headquarters to request backup and assistance alerting the fire department.
Officer Tosca with other officers from the Sheriff's department and one from the Hudson County Prosecutor's Office, assisted a man, a woman and a child to safety.
According to authorities, Officer Thomas DeStasio suffered facial burns from the heat and smoke inhalation during the effort.
Fire officials say three attached buildings and a corner building on Newark Avenue sustained damage.
The cause of the fire is currently under investigation.