Nine people living in three apartments in a two-story building 741 Howard St. were displaced by a fire early Tuesday morning.
Fire Division Chief Kimberly Kull says fire units responded to the scene at 2:10 a.m. and found heavy smoke and fire coming from the Ashley Beauty Supply store in the building at the corner of Howard Street and Elmwood Avenue.
Kull says firefighters managed to put out the blaze within 15 minutes and kept it from spreading to other parts of the building.
Most residents of the nine apartments on the second floor got out on their own, but Kull says firefighters helped several others escape.
No civilian or firefighter injuries were reported. The American Red Cross responded to the scene and provided emergency services and housing assistance to nine displaced residents.