WHITEHALL, Ohio -- As many as 50 people were evacuated from their homes early Wednesday when a fire broke out in an East Side apartment building.
NBC 4's Tom Brockman reported with the FAST FACTS from local officials.
Columbus fire was called to the Yearling Green Apartments, 4218 Rickenbacker Ave., around 1:15 a.m. on reports of a structure fire.
Several apartments were engulfed when firefighters arrived on the scene.
The fire began in a first-floor apartment when a male fell asleep with a lit cigarette, according to fire officials. The mattress caught on fire, and the fire spread to adjoining apartments.
Approximately 50 residents were evacuated from the apartment building while fire crews fought the flames.
The fire was contained quickly.
Six apartments were destroyed by fire; five of those apartments were occupied at the time of the fire.
"I heard someone yelling, 'The building's on fire. The building's on fire,' " victim Lisa Vanrute said.
A COTA bus was called to the scene to help keep the residents warm in the freezing overnight temperatures.
The American Red Cross also was called to the scene to help the displaced.
No one was injured seriously, but a few residents were treated for minor smoke inhalation.
Most of the evacuated were allowed to get out of the cold and to return to their residences by 5 a.m.
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