A fire tore through an apartment house in White Plains Friday night, leaving more than 45 people homeless.

Fire officials say the fire started around 11:30 p.m. on the second floor of the West Post Road house. The house had five mailboxes, but, sources say 11 families lived there. They say there were smoke detectors in the house, so everyone got out safely. However, eight people were treated and released for smoke inhalation.

Firefighters battled bone-chilling temperatures as they fought the flames. They say the fire spread through the house so quickly that it melted the siding on the house next door.

Building inspectors have deemed the house unsafe. The Westchester Red Cross is helping the families displaced by the fire.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.