EDGEWATER — About 1,000 residents of Edgewater are homeless after a roaring fire destroyed the 408-unit Avalon apartment complex and spread to nearby properties, authorities said Thursday morning at a press conference.

The Bergen County Arson Unit is still investigating what first sparked the blaze at about 4:22 p.m. on Wednesday, Police Chief William Skidmore said.

No one died in the massive fire and only a handful of minor injuries were reported. Firefighters rescued three people from smoke-filled apartments.

The fire destroyed 240 of the 408 units, permanently displacing 500 residents of the complex, officials said at the press conference. More than 500 residents from nearby homes were also displaced after the roaring fire spread beyond the complex.

Victims have been placed in hotels, while the town's community center is functioning as a shelter. The Red Cross of North Jersey is also offering assistance to the victims.

“Everyone got out," said a hopeful Mayor Michael McPartland. "You can always rebuild.”

When Edgewater firefighters arrived on scene, sprinklers were activated and spraying water throughout the massive luxury complex, Edgewater Fire Chief Tom Jacobson said.

PHOTOS:

Images from the scene Wednesday night

He attributed the rapid pace of the inferno, which was first spotted on the first floor, to "lightweight" wood construction with a truss-style of roof.

“If it was made out of concrete and cinder block, we wouldn’t have this sort of problem,” he said.

Asked if he would live in a complex made of wood, Jacobson refused to answer.

The building was up to code, officials said.

In August of 2000, while under construction, the Avalon burned to the ground. Though the fire was eventually ruled accidental, officials attributed the quick spread of flames largely to the wood construction. The complex was rebuilt in 2002 at a cost of $75 million, records show.

James Kleimann may be reached at jkleimann@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @jameskleimann. Find NJ.com on Facebook.