An apartment fire early Friday morning left four families wondering what to do next. 

According to Selma Fire Department Assistant Chief Mark Walker, a call came into the station around 4:50 a.m. Friday in reference to an apartment building on fire at Les Chateaus Apartments on the 1000 block of Medical Center Parkway.

Walker said four engine companies, a ladder truck and C shift Battalion Chief Doug Horton responded to the call.

Horton said upon arrival, the department found one building — four apartments — on fire, but all of the residents had made it safely out of the building.

“There was heavy damage through the original apartment that was on fire, and there was major damage in the attic to the adjoining apartment and the other two apartments sustained smoke and water damage,” Horton said.

Walker said it took about 45 minutes to get the blaze under control and the department had the area cleared between 8:30 a.m. and 9 a.m.

Although it hasn’t been confirmed, Horton said he believes that the cause of the fire will be ruled a cooking accident.

Carla Lowe, manager of the Les Chateaus Apartments, said it’s hard to see anything like the fire happen to her tenants, but she is thankful that no one was injured.

“Everyone got out OK,” Lowe said.

“No one was hurt at all, and that’s a true blessing. I’m very thankful.”

As far as having somewhere to go, Lowe said she is working to find the families somewhere to stay.

“We’re going to try to get them in a place as soon as we can,” Lowe said. “We do have two or three vacant [apartments] over here that I think we can get ready for them.”

Horton said overall, he is proud of his crew and how quickly they worked to put the fire out.

“I’m very proud of everybody,” Horton said. “I had young guys that preformed well, and then my older guys, they preformed well so everybody did a really good job.”