A three-alarm fire ripped through multiple homes Tuesday in Crotona Park East.

Officials believe the fire started at around 4 a.m. in a garage at 1538 Bryant Ave. and spread to a home next door.

Fire officials say that everyone who lived in the home was able to escape safely. However, one firefighter was treated for minor injuries at St. Barnabas Hospital.

News 12 is told that 33 fire units and 138 firefighters responded to the scene. The flames were under control at around 6 a.m.

Police say one of the damaged homes is a single-room occupancy - a form of housing in which one or two people are housed in individual rooms. The other is a multifamily home comprising three apartments.

The Red Cross is assisting the 16 displaced residents.