Several departments responded to an early Sunday morning apartment complex fire at 501 S. Market Street in New Athens.

The fire broke out about 3 a.m. Sunday, with the New Athens Fire Department receiving assistance from the Smithton, St. Libory, Freeburg, Hecker, Marissa, Red Bud, Lenzburg, Northwest, Mascoutah and Fayetteville fire departments.

The New Athens Fire Department said that firefighters discovered a working fire in a residential unit at the middle floor of the apartment complex.

“An aggressive interior and exterior attack was launched, however due to the unique floor plan of the building and difficult location of the fire, a second and third alarm was sounded for additional manpower,” The NAFD posted on Facebook. 

The fire department said all apartment occupants were able to escape safely without harm upon the arrival of the initial fire units. Firefighting operations persisted for several hours until the fire was completely contained, extinguished and overhauled.

“No rescuer injuries were reported and the displaced families were left in the care of the American Red Cross,” the NAFD said.

The Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal is investigating a cause of the fire.