A community is in mourning following a fire that killed three children and injured multiple firefighters in Union City.

As News 12 has reported, the fire killed three children ages 2, 5 and 7. News 12 has learned that the deceased children all lived in a one-family apartment on the building's third floor. The mayor of Union City has said that the family had five children in all.

Three other residents of the building were hospitalized, and eight firefighters were injured battling the blaze. At least 30 people are now without a home following the fire.

News 12 spoke with one building resident who says his brother woke him up from a sound sleep to alert him to the fire. They opened the door and smoke rushed in, and he says they were forced to escape through a window.

An investigation is now underway into the cause of the fire, as well as what caused it to spread so quickly to two other buildings. The fire is being investigated by the Hudson County Prosecutor's Office with assistance from the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

Union City Mayor Brian Stack was meeting Saturday with victims affected by the fire, and has pledged the town's support. A fund called the Union City Fire Victims Fund has been set up to accept donations for those affected, and Gov. Phil Murphy has tweeted his support and shared information on the fund.

Funeral arrangements for the deceased children have not yet been announced.