A fire forced the evacuation of a six-unit apartment in Cortez, waking neighbors to a smoke-filled block as fire engines and police responded in force to the scene.

The building at 214 W. Coronado Ave., three blocks north of Montezuma Avenue, was filled with smoke as firefighters from the Cortez Fire Protection District battled the blaze, focusing their attention on the building’s blackened and burning northeast corner.

Megan Canada, who lives across the street, said she and her son, Xander, were sleeping when the fire broke out, about 8:30 a.m.

“We smelled smoke, and my son ran out with his little fire extinguisher,” she said. “The fire started on the right corner.”

Lewis-Arriola and Dolores fire departments were called for mutual aid. Crews worked quickly to get the blaze extinguished. Canada estimated that crews got the blaze under control in 20 minutes.

Cory Elliot, battalion chief for Cortez Fire Protection District, told a Journal reporter that the cause of the fire was still under investigation.

There was “heavy fire damage to three of the six. The other three had pretty significant smoke damage, but no structural damage that we found,” Elliot said. All six apartments have been displaced, and Red Cross was notified and on the way.

“We had reports of a cat, but I never saw the cat,” Elliot stated. Animal control officer responded to the scene, but it is unclear if they found any animals on the property.

An ambulance from Southwest Health System responded to the scene, and “one male patient was transported” for care, according to the battalion chief. The extent of the man’s injuries was unknown.

Atmos Energy and Empire Electric Association responded to the scene to secure the utilities to the apartment building. Cortez Police Department was on scene to control traffic and ensure residents and neighbors were at a safe distance from the blaze.

This article may be updated as more information becomes available.