The flames erupted around 1 a.m. at the High Point Condo Complex in Lakewood.
[Ads /]
Video from the scene shows the fire shooting through the building's roof.
The three injured residents - a man, a woman and her child - were all flown to a hospital, but their names and further details on their conditions have not been disclosed.
"My dad just woke me up because we started hearing bangs and screams," a resident said.
Five officers suffered smoke inhalation while evacuating residents.
[Ads /]
"You can see the fire already starting just from one window," another resident said. "Then all of a sudden, the fire just ate the whole roof and it was just more fire."
Officials say about 35 residents of eight apartments in the garden-style condo complex were left homeless. They were receiving assistance from the American Red Cross.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
----------
* More New Jersey news
* Send us a news tip
* Download the abc7NY app for breaking news alerts
* Follow us on YouTube