Desperate New Yorkers hang out of windows to escape fire: One dead and four critical after blaze tore through Harlem apartment

One person is dead and at least four are in critical condition in a Harlem apartment building fire that left residents hanging out of windows to escape the flames.

The fire began just after 2 pm on Friday on the third floor of a six-story building at 2 St. Nicholas Pl. in Harlem.

Residents of the building were hanging out of their windows and fire escapes to escape the blaze as it spread throughout the apartment building. 

One person has been pronounced dead so far. Four others are in critical condition and at least six people have sustained injuries in the fire. 

The victims have been taken to nearby hospitals to receive treatment. 

What caused the fire has not been disclosed yet. 

One person is dead and at least four are in critical condition in a Harlem apartment building fire that left residents hanging out of windows to escape the flames 

The fire began just after 2 pm on Friday on the third floor of a six-story building at 2 St. Nicholas Pl. in Harlem 

One person has been pronounced dead so far. Four others are in critical condition and at least six people have sustained injuries in the fire

A man reportedly dangled from the building before dropping to the ground below, according to witnesses.

'They opened the windows and they were hanging on the ledge. One of them just fell. He fell all the way to the ground below. This is insane,' said Michelle Paradis, who lives in the building. 

'There was smoke from the last apartment in the rear. It was a horrible experience. People were escaping from their apartments through all the fire escapes. It was a horrible experience,' Paradis told New York Daily News.  

Another man was forced to break through locked doors in order to access a fire escape. 

Firefighters accessed the roof of the apartment building and threw down ropes to rescue people hanging out of the windows and on the fire escapes

'I was napping and the fire alarm went off, and then two more,' said Amar Bhatia, 21.

'People in the hallway were screaming 'Help me!',' Bhatia said. 'I considered jumping, but thank God we got out.'

Firefighters accessed the roof of the apartment building and threw down ropes to rescue people hanging out of the windows and on the fire escapes. 

This story is developing, check back for updates.