Flames could be seen from Main Street as fire took over an apartment complex on East Helena Street early Wednesday morning.

Firefighters responded to the apartments at 64 E. Helena around 2:20 a.m.

The complex consisted of four units, but only one unit was occupied, according to firefighters. Three people, including two adult men and an adult woman, were living at the residence, but were able to make it out safely.

“I happened to look toward the kitchen and next thing I know, everything looked black,” Charlotte Seiber, who lived in one of the apartments, said. “I couldn’t find myself getting out of there. My brother had to come back to the steps to come and get me.”

Seiber said her three cats are missing, and she’s hoping the cats ran out when the fire started.

Firefighters said when they arrived on the scene, a door that had been boarded up was tampered with.

“When our crews arrived it was hanging wide open, and that’s right where the fire started,” District Chief Vicent Wiley said.

A fire investigator was called to the scene to help determine a cause to the fire, which Wiley said is suspicious.

The American Red Cross has responded to assist the family with shelter.