A three-alarm fire ripped through a Cherry Hill condominium complex early yesterday, leaving two residents injured.

The fire broke out about 2 a.m. at the Woods Condominiums, off Kresson Road in the eastern section of the township. It gutted four units, left 12 more with smoke and water damage, and displaced 17 people.

The blaze started in the first-floor bedroom of an apartment occupied by Wayne Rile, 59, and Ruth Rabinowitz, 63, officials said. Both suffered burns to their lungs, Fire Chief Robert Giorgio said.

Both were in Temple University Hospital's burn unit last night. Rile was listed in critical but stable condition, and Rabinowitz was listed as stable.

Flames shot from three windows as firefighters arrived, Giorgio said.

"People on the scene were saying two children and two adults were missing, so we immediately started searching the property," Giorgio said.

Rescuers found Rile suffering from smoke inhalation, but still conscious, in a foyer. Moments later, they discovered Rabinowitz, who had been overcome by smoke inside the apartment, and carried her out, Giorgio said.

Firefighters found the two missing children with their parents in a neighboring building.

About 50 firefighters from Cherry Hill and several neighboring communities placed the blaze under control in about 40 minutes, Giorgio said. No firefighters were injured.

"They worked hard to get the upper hand on this. You've got to give them a lot of credit," Giorgio said.

The fire marshal investigated the scene yesterday but had not determined the cause of the fire by last night.

Contact staff writer Sam Wood at 215-854-2796 or samwood@phillynews.com.