Fourteen Indianapolis Fire Department units and one Beech Grove Fire Department unit responded to the fire at the Emerson Village Apartment complex, near the intersection of Emerson Avenue and Shelbyville Road. Crews had the fire under control in 50 minutes.

Officials believe the fire started on the balcony of the apartment occupied by Kenneth Thompson, 55, and Gina Stone, 51, but the exact cause of the fire is still under investigation.

Thompson told firefighters that he was inside his apartment and smelled smoke, looked out onto his balcony and found it engulfed in heavy flames then evacuated and was able to alert the residents of the building to evacuate as well.

Thompson told firefighters that he is unsure what could have caused the fire, although he said that he had smoked out on the balcony earlier in the day.

Battalion Chief Dan Hansman has estimated the damage to the building at $300,000.

No injuries were reported.

The American Red Cross is helping the displaced people find temporary housing.