Police say a man tried to steal a ladder truck while firefighters were battling a four-alarm fire that engulfed a Mount Vernon apartment building Friday.

Fire officials say flames were blowing out of the third story of the South Third Avenue building and quickly spread to the fourth and fifth floors. Flames in the hallways forced firefighters to attack the blaze from the outside. While firefighters were battling the blaze, police say a man tried to drive away with a ladder truck. Police stopped him about a block away and placed him under arrest.

No residents were injured in the fire. The Red Cross was on hand to help displaced residents with temporary shelter. The cause of the fire is under investigation.