EAST SPENCER — An early-morning fire at East Winds apartment complex in East Spencer displaced 12 residents Monday.

Emergency responders received a call about 1 a.m. By 1:06, they were on the scene at the North Boundary Street building.

According to East Spencer Fire Chief Shawn McBride, the call indicated someone was trapped in the residence. When firefighters arrived, flames and smoke were visible from the roof.

McBride said that was an indicator that the fire had been burning for some time.

Responders tried to enter the apartments but were unable to. They fought the fire initially by flowing water from the roof line.

McBride said when the fire was knocked back, the crew moved inside the structure.

No one was in the apartments, and no one was injured in the blaze.

Two apartments on the second floor were destroyed as the fire spread through the attic. Two apartments on the bottom floor had significant water damage.

Eight more apartments in the complex were damaged minimally, for a total of 12 residents displaced.

The Red Cross is assisting the displaced residents.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation by the Rowan County fire marshal.

In total, 14 pieces of equipment were on the scene, with crews from the East Spencer, Millers Ferry, Salisbury, Union, Granite Quarry, Faith, Locke, Churchland, South Salisbury and Franklin fire departments responding.

McBride said EMS and the Station 91 Rescue Squad also responded.

“Everything went smooth as far as what we were able to do,” he said. “We stopped the fire from burning into the other homes.”