An early morning apartment fire sent three people to the hospital in Co-op City, authorities say.

The fire department says the fire started on the seventh floor of a building on Eskine Place. They say the inside of the apartment was very cluttered, which made it harder for firefighters to put out the flames.

At least three people were hospitalized for injuries.

Resident William Whitaker says he called 911 after he saw the fire while he was moving his car around 5 a.m.

People who live in the building say they were allowed back inside by 9 a.m.

Authorities are investigating the cause of the fire.