(This story has been updated with information from a release sent by Salisbury communications. The release stated that the fire was declared a four-alarm fire, rather than a three-alarm as was initially reported.)

SALISBURY — A four-alarm fire in an apartment complex in Salisbury ended with damage to six apartments on Sunday afternoon.

The call reporting a structure fire went out at approximately 12:05 p.m., said Salisbury Fire Division Chief Shawn McBride, in reference to a fire in the Alexander Station apartment complex, located off of Sunset Drive. The incident was declared a confirmed working fire when firefighters were able to see the smoke from Salisbury Fire Station 2, located at 2312 S. Main St., according to a release from the city.

When firefighters arrived on scene, they found heavy smoke and flames showing from the right side of the roof of the 600 building.

The fire was ruled under control approximately an hour after the efforts began. The fire appeared to have started in an apartment on the second floor of the building before spreading into an adjacent apartment and the two top-floor apartments above. McBride said that firefighters were able to contain the fire to those four apartments, but the two bottom-floor apartments underneath also suffered damage as a result of water leaking downwards.

All residents of the affected apartments are believed to have evacuated the building by the time firefighters arrived, said McBride.

The Salisbury Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating the fire and any potential causes. More information will be provided as it becomes available.

Salisbury, Kannapolis, Granite Quarry, East Spencer, China Grove, Spencer, Franklin and Atwell fire departments all assisted in the efforts along with the Rowan Rescue Squad and EMS personnel.