Dozens of people were left homeless after a five-alarm blaze destroyed several buildings in Perth Amboy, N.J., early on Sunday.

About 75 firefighters from 11 fire departments battled the flames.

"I couldn't stand across the street and look at the building, that's how intense the fire was," Perth Amboy Fire Chief David Volk said.

A couple and their baby daughter suffered burns and were hospitalized in serious but stable condition Sunday afternoon.

'He lost everything'
A total of 47 people, including 10 children, were left homeless. Most of the displaced residents were taken to a shelter set up at a school. 

Jose Nunez, a father who lived in one of three buildings that collapsed, sobbed as he described losing his home and property.

Read more news from NBC 4 New York

"He lost everything," his nephew Miguel Nunez told NBC 4 New York, translating from Spanish. 

Five buildings across Cortlandt Street also sustained radiant heat damage.

Officials are investigating the cause of the blaze.

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