UPDATE: Cranston Firefighters Respond to Florida Ave. Fire, Nobody Hurt

Fourteen people in three families, including eight children, are being helped by the American Red Cross after a devastating fire gutted their apartments in the triple decker they lived in on Florida Avenue Wednesday morning.

Nobody was hurt in the powerful blaze that sent a plume of smoke high into the hazy warm air over Cranston that could be seen for miles. The fact that nobody was seriously hurt was thanks in part to Cranston Police Det. Paula Duffy, who saw the house was on fire and immediately rushed inside to get everyone out.

Cranston Firefighters were dispatched at around 11 a.m. and arrived to find the third floor of the three-story multi-family home at 18 Florida Avenue on fire.

SEE ALSO: Fund Established for Families who Lost Everything in Cranston Fire

Flames fully engulfed the front porch and were curling over the roof as firefighters began to attack the fire.

Among the residents who escaped injury was a 5-month-old baby, firefighters said.

The Red Cross said that a family of two adults and two children are getting help with housing, food and clothing needs. Another family of two adults and five children are getting housing, food, clothing and baby needs. A third family of two adults and one child is getting similar help but did not need assistance finding housing.

The Red Cross is reminding families to practice fire drills several times each year. Statistics show that a resident might have just two minutes to get out before it’s too late.

Use this Home Fire Escape Plan worksheet to plan your evacuation.

Photo: Everett Trainer (Twitter: @EverettTrainer)