Dozens Displaced After Fire Damages Apartments, Businesses In Oceanside

OCEANSIDE, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) -- A portion of a multi-story building has been destroyed in an early morning fire in Oceanside, Long Island.

The fire broke out around 4 a.m. Monday on Long Beach Road. It appears to have started in a ground floor convenience store and quickly spread, WCBS 880's Mike Xirinachs reported.

Teams initially went inside the building to fight the fire, but were pushed back by the flames, 1010 WINS' Glenn Schuck reported.

Residents banged on doors and screamed for everyone to flee.

"Fortunately, everybody got out quickly and safely knowing that there was a fire and trying to get everybody out as quickly as we can," said Oceanside Fire Chief John Madden. "Caring about each other is probably what got everybody out."

A pharmacy, barbershop and apartments were all damaged in the blaze and dozens of residents were left homeless.

One woman named Annie said she and her husband got their three kids out.

"Everybody was just panicking," she said. "We have to start from zero now."

Officials said several firefighters suffered minor injuries.

More than 60 residents were displaced because of the fire, according to Nassau County police. The American Red Cross was called in to assist and provide shelter.

No word yet on the cause of the fire, but police said it did not appear to be suspicious.