Girls escape New Jersey fire by jumping from balcony

Girls were forced to jump for their lives as a fire engulfed their dance studio in the US.

The blaze, at a studio in Edgewater, New Jersey broke out on Monday night at around 7pm local time.

The trapped youngsters screamed for help from a first floor balcony, as ferocious flames were seen behind and below them.

While those on the ground grappled with ladders, they were too short.

The girls lowered themselves to the edge of the balcony and dropped to the ground.

The amazing escape was captured on video.

Nobody was seriously injured, according to reports by NJ.com.

Authorities are investigating the cause of the fire.

Edgewater is just across the Hudson River from Manhattan in New York City.