Two people are in critical condition following a fire at a senior living center in New Jersey

EDISON, NJ – Two people were seriously injured in a fire at the Inman Grove Senior Living Center in Edison, New Jersey on Tuesday evening.

The fire sparked a massive emergency response, with emergency crews working to evacuate more than 200 people from the building.

Authorities said a man and a woman who were in the apartment where the fire started are now in critical condition and at least eight other residents were hospitalized for smoke inhalation.

Edison Fire Chief Andrew Toth said they initially feared the worst when one of the victims had no pulse, but incredibly that person was revived at the hospital.

“They started cardiopulmonary resuscitation and intubations from the doctors and were able to regain their pulse,” Toth said.

The city and the Red Cross moved the displaced residents to a nearby hotel, while rescue workers were tasked with collecting any vital medications residents had to leave behind.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

The firefighters found themselves in a dangerous and delicate situation

According to authorities, the fire broke out around 6 p.m. on the second floor, where first responders found the man and woman burned and injured.

“They didn’t even have water on the fire and grabbed the two victims,” Toth said.

Flames and smoke spread through the building, but police and firefighters were able to get everyone else to safety by putting out the flames.

“They had people over their shoulders because there’s obviously an older clientele here,” Edison Police Chief Tom Bryan said.

Hundreds of residents were evacuated using wheelchairs and walking frames.

Sasha Haymer came to pick up her 87-year-old mother, who was led out by firefighters.

“She said she knocked on the door. It was just, ‘Come out, come out. You have to get out.’ So she just had to leave immediately,” Haymer said.