( CNN ) A massive fire at a New Jersey midrise that consumed 240 apartments and permanently displaced up to 500 residents has been ruled accidental , authorities said . Edgewater Police Chief William Skidmore said the fire was accidentally started by building workers , CNN affiliate WABC reported . `` Our hearts go out to everyone who was affected by this ; it was a long and challenging night , '' Edgewater Mayor Michael McPartland said during a Thursday morning press conference . `` The fire is contained and under control . '' An additional 520 residents from nearby buildings were temporarily affected , McPartland said . Two residents and two firefighters suffered minor injuries , but no one was reported missing , the mayor said . Some pets , however , could not be rescued , he said . Edgewater Fire Chief Tom Jacobson said the blaze broke out around 4:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Avalon at Edgewater , along the Hudson River across from Manhattan . More than 200 firefighters battled to bring the fire under control as the flames shot high into the sky . `` We arrived on scene and we encountered the sprinkler system going off and smoke conditions on the first floor , '' Jacobson said . `` I sent in crews to check what was going on ; we had heavy fire on the ceiling . '' Most residents were not home when the fire began , but some found themselves trapped in the blaze . `` The fire conditions were getting worse . It was in the floors and it just traveled , '' Jacobson said . `` We had crews on three floors . We had the task of dealing with multiple rescues on different floors because the smoke had traveled through the building , and we had to evacuate the people . We had people stuck on back balconies . We had ladders removing the victims from the balconies , and the fire just took off . '' Authorities established services for affected residents at a local community center , McPartland said . 2 bodies found in ruins of burned Annapolis mansion . The Edgewater School District shut down schools in the area and told residents to stay away . McPartland declared a local state of emergency .
Massive apartment fire accidentally started by workers , police chief says . Up to 500 residents homeless after 240 units burned in Edgewater , New Jersey , official says . Some 520 other residents temporarily displaced from nearby buildings .