VANCOUVER, Wash. -- Fire crews spent much of the morning mopping up an apartment fire in Vancouver, making sure it was completely out and trying to salvage what they could for the families.

The fire occurred at the Springbrook Village Apartments, 11328 N.E. 51st  Circle. The first call went out to the Vancouver Fire department at at 5:48 a.m. Sunday. When crews arrived a second alarm was immediately called. 

"Crews could see the smoke from miles away," said Jim Flaherty, spokesperson for the Vancouver Fire department, "and the first crew on the scene found heavy fire coming from the roof" of one of the apartment buildings.

Damage contained
There are 296 apartments at the complex and the fire was restricted to the "R" building, which houses 22 apartments. Flaherty said 12 to 13 of the apartments in the "R" building were affected by the fire and a total of 31 people have been displaced.  The Red Cross is on the scene assisting the displaced residents. The fire was brought under control at 6:41a.m. 

"What made a difference," Flaherty said, "was that the smoke detectors in all of the apartments worked and the central alarm system was sounded before firemen arrived." 

More than 30 people will have to live somewhere else for a while. Damage to the apartments is said to be well over $1million.

"It took us three years to accumulate what we got," said Springbrook Village resident Eric Streitler, whose apartment burned, "and now we're starting over."

Cause under investigation
The official cause is still under investigation. Firefighters said it started on a second floor balcony, initially saying that it looked like someone left a burning cigarette or some other smoking material on their balcony.

Thanks to fire alarms, sprinklers and diligent neighbors, everyone was able to get out even before fire crews got there. Specially designed "fire walls" in the apartments kept the flames from spreading sideways. However, the fire still ran up the outside and spread to the roof and attic. This fire movement damaged more than a dozen units.

Something to think about
Unfortunately, a lot of these families did not have renters' insurance.

"It's a good idea for anyone who doesn't have it," said Ebony Drayer, a Springbrook Village Apartments resident whose apartment burned. "Please invest in it because I never thought anything like this would happen."

Renters' insurance is available from insurance companies ranging from Geico to military-insurer USAA to automotive-service-provider AAA to State Farm. Cost through Geico, as an example, is around $130 per year in Oregon and $115 per year in Washington to replace up to $10,000 worth of property destroyed by fire, water or theft. Those policies also include personal liability insurance, which covers injuries that occur in a renter's home.

Web Producer's Note: KATU has received video of fire shot by neighbor, and will be airing it during our 5 p.m. Sunday newscast. KATU.com visitors can view the broadcast live online at http://www.katu.com/news/live. 

Check out KATU.com's previous coverage of other apartment fires.