A fire at a Mesa apartment complex forced dozens of residents out of their homes, leaving about 25 people displaced as crews worked to contain the damage. The fire broke out on Sunday near Gilbert Road and Main Street, prompting a response from multiple fire agencies.

According to fire officials, the blaze started on the second floor of the building and spread quickly through the structure. Investigators believe the flames began in a roof overhang area and then moved laterally, impacting several nearby units as it traveled.

At least 13 units were affected by the fire. Three units sustained the most severe damage directly from flames, while others experienced smoke damage. Additional units below were impacted by water used to extinguish the fire, further contributing to the displacement of residents.

The fire was first reported by someone inside one of the apartments, allowing crews to respond quickly. Firefighters were able to get the flames under control in a relatively short amount of time, preventing even greater damage to the complex.

Witnesses and nearby residents described the rapid response to the situation. One Good Samaritan said he saw smoke coming from a unit and immediately began knocking on doors to alert others and help get people out safely before conditions worsened.

Emergency crews from Mesa were joined by teams from Chandler and Tempe as part of a mutual aid response, helping to manage the fire and ensure everyone was evacuated safely. Firefighters also rotated crews during the operation due to the heat and intensity of the conditions.

Despite the scale of the fire and the number of people displaced, no injuries were reported among residents or firefighters. However, some residents lost significant belongings, and in at least one case, a family pet was injured during the incident.

Officials say the cause of the fire remains under investigation as crews continue to assess the damage and gather more information about how the blaze started.

Source: KTAR