DETROIT (TNND) — It was a chaotic scene at a 2-story apartment building in Detroit early Monday morning.

Fire Commissioner Chuck Simms described the scene of an apparent explosion and fire that happened just before 4 a.m. at the westside apartment. Simms told reporters when firefighters responded, "People at the windows... were hanging off ready to jump."

A total of 12 individuals, including six children, were rescued and taken to Henry Ford Hospital and Children's Hospital, according to Simms. "They put up ladders and were able to rescue the members from the windows," Simms said. He added that a man was in the basement window that fire crews had to pull out as well.

Later in the day, the victim count reportedly went up to 13. That individual is an adult, local media outlets reported.

Some of those victims suffered severe burns to their bodies, including a 30-year-old man with burns on 90% of his body, a 27-year-old woman with burns to 20%-40% of her body, and a 3-year-old girl with burns to 15% of her body. The unidentified 27-year-old victim's condition was considered "serious." Simms confirmed those victims all lived in the same apartment. A family with a 26-year-old female and her four children were all in stable condition, according to Simms. He also reported that a 3-year-old boy, a 22-year-old male, and a 26-year-old female were in stable condition.

The cause of what residents described as an explosion is not known at this time. Simms explained that the Detroit Fire Department investigative team is on the scene. Simms said the building would be demolished, which then investigators will investigate the incident.

When asked if there was a fire when fire crews arrived, Simms said responding firefighters described the fire as "small."

The fire commissioner thanked the firefighters for their actions to save people who were "hanging off ready to jump," during the media briefing. "They did an amazing job. I mean, without their fast response and fast thinking this could have been a lot worse," he said.

Detroit residents took to X to say they got an alert on their phones warning them about the possible explosion.

Ashley Ridner, her boyfriend and their 5-month-old son were among those rescued, reported WDIV-TV

“It sounded like a bomb,” Ridner told the media outlet.

Ridner said her feet were injured while escaping the building through a window. Her boyfriend's arm was hurt, she said.