A dog smashed through a window to save itself as five-alarm fire ripped through a Yonkers apartment fire on Monday.

More than 100 Yonkers residents have been displaced after the flames broke out on the top floor of the 6-story building at 24 Caryl Ave. around 1:30 p.m. Monday.

It didn't take long for the flames to spread and crews had a real fight on their hands for hours as thick black smoke filled the air.
Roads all around the area had to be closed off, making it difficult for traffic, especially school buses, to get around.

One woman up on the sixth floor had to be saved. Firefighters also rescued several pets, including a 9-year-old pitbull named Patches.

The pup's owner was at work and the little dog fought for his life by actually breaking the window in his 5th floor apartment. His owner was grateful. "If they didn't come when they did, he would've jumped, he was halfway out the window.  Everything else you can replace, you cannot replace him," says resident William Velapoldi.

Yonkers officials say the fire was electrical in origin and that the building will likely never be occupied again.

Yonkers City officials and Red Cross are working to help the more than 100 people now displaced. A reception center has been set up at The Chema Community Center on Riverdale Avenue.