A fast-moving fire consumed much of a Bronx block Sunday night, leaving 40 people homeless.

More than 130 firefighters battled the raging 6:45 p.m. blaze that moved down Rogers Place in the Longwood section.

The fire began on the first floor of 952 Rogers Place and quickly engulfed the whole three-story building, fire officials said.

Flames rapidly spread to two homes next-door.

"It was an orange ball of fire," said Maximindo Diodonet, who ushered his family from their smoldering second-floor apartment as smoke filled the home. "I just turned around, and my wife started screaming, 'Let's get out of here.'"

Diodonet, 41, and his three kids ran safely out into the frigid night air.

The FDNY reported no serious injuries during the 75-minute fire.

But at least three firefighters were taken to Jacobi Medical Center for minor injuries.

The fire left 40 people homeless. They sat in a parked city bus waiting for instruction from the Red Cross on what to do next.

"Now I am trapped outside," said Shamecka Morrison, 24, who fled 954 Rogers Place wearing just a T-shirt and a towel.

A neighbor gave her a jacket. "They won't even let me go and get my cat," she said. "I want my cat."

sweichselbaum@nydailynews.com