A third alarm fire spewed smoke through a large apartment building in the Melrose section of the Bronx -- and sent 80 residents into the cold night.

Newscopter 7 is live over the scene.

The fire reportedly broke out on the first and second floors of Gerard Plaza at 815 Gerard Avenue just before 5 a.m. this morning.

Eyewitness News is told some 80 residents woke up to heavy, choking smoke spewing from the six-story building. Thankfully, they all found their way out of the apartment building.