AUBURN – A 2½-story apartment house at 85 Summer St. was heavily damaged by fire early Wednesday morning.

A family on the first floor escaped, according to reports, and no one was living on the upper floors.

There were no injuries, police said.

Thick smoke pouring from the first floor could be smelled for several blocks away. The rear of the building was heavily damaged as firefighters battled flames.

Steve Levesque, who lives nearby, said, “I was at home watching the boob tube and I smelled the smoke. I came out and the flames were shooting way up high in the sky. It was a big orange glow. The flames were high above the building.”

The three-apartment house is near the intersection with Parker Street.

The only occupied unit was on the first floor.

Police went to nearby homes on Turner and Summer streets to alert neighbors that they may have to evacuate.

Firefighters from Lewiston responded with equipment and manpower.

As of 1 a.m. flames were still visible at the rear of the wood-framed house.