Several people have been evacuated from a fire at an apartment building in West Knoxville, officials said.
Rural Metro Fire was called to the fire at Walker Springs Apartments, 721 Walker Springs Road, around 7:35 p.m. KFD personnel also responded to the fire.
The fire was contained to one building at the apartment complex.
The Knox County Sheriff's Office said several people have been evacuated. No one was injured.
According to Rural Metro spokesperson Jeff Bagwell, heavy fire was coming out of the front and right sides of the building. The fire spread to eight apartments; four of the had extensive damage, and four had moderate damage.
The building was evacuated before fire crews arrived thanks to the help of some quick-thinking bystanders.
"Me and a neighbor of mine, we started seeing it bellow, so we took off running to go start beating on doors," witness Eddie Mayfield said. "I'm just glad everybody was safe and there were no fatalities."
The cause of the fire is under investigation. The Red Cross is assisting people who were displaced by the fire.
Bagwell said the fire was under control shortly before 9 p.m.
The apartment fire is the third call crews have responded to in one hour, KFD Capt. DJ Corcoran said.
KFD was called to a home on San Juan Lane around 7 p.m. KFD Capt. DJ Corcoran said a heat and air conditioning unit malfunctioned, blowing smoke through the house.
There was no fire damage, and the family got out of the home safely, he said.
The second call was for a house fire on Ault Road around 7:15 p.m.
Corcoran said a mother was at home with 9 children ages 3 to 15 when the fire started. The father was at work, but rushed home when he heard about the fire.
Corcoran said the family all got out of the home safely, and no one was injured.
The fire was on the back side of the single-story home, and got up in the eaves and the attic, he said.