A large fire tore through a residential building in Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn and damaged the buildings next to it. 

Flames could be seen enveloping the building at Stuyvesant and Lafayette Avenues just after 1:30 p.m. Wednesday. .

The fire quickly grew to three alarms, and damage from the fire spread to the adjoining buildings. Numerous firefighters could be seen on the roof of the structure as firefighters worked to put the flames out.

Most of the flames appeared to be out by just after 2 p.m., but crews were still dousing hotspots hours later. The building where the fire originated is a total loss.

Officials say three firefighters sustained minor injuries. So far there's no word on the cause.

Red Cross helping impacted residents

Star Payne broke into tears as she looked at her top floor apartment, which was gutted by the fire.

"I fought hard to get this place. I fought hard for my kids to have somewhere to stay nice," she said.

Her daughter will be graduating from high school in two weeks. Her cap, gown and prom dress were all lost in the fire.

"We lost it. It wasn't even a fire from us," Payne said. "And it just spread it fast, it went like a wildfire."

Roommates Laraugh Lobel and Noelle Diaz were home when the fire started.

"I smell burning. I smell smoke," Lobel said.

"I started banging on all my neighbors' doors just to make sure everyone was out," Diaz said.

Residents at affected nearby buildings were permitted to enter after the flames were out. One woman showed a sign of relief as she safely retrieved her cat.

Tim Stickle and his roommate T.J. Walters are hoping they can salvage anything inside.

"I'm mostly worried about pictures," Stickle said. "Hopefully they're fine. They're on the wall, still."

"Stuff passed down from my grandparents. Like, I'd like to get in and, like, even just try, even if it's damaged, just to have," Walters said.

The Red Cross is helping those impacted.

• Brooklyn