Firefighters said when they arrived at the scene, they spotted heavy smoke coming from an eleventh-floor apartment.
Supervisors called for a second alarm to get extra manpower on the scene in case the flames spread and a total building evacaution became necessary.
One group of firefighters carried hoses to the 11th floor and hooked up to water pipes built into the apartment building and began fighting the fire. Other firefighters worked to make sure the people living close to the burning apartment could safely walk through the smoky hallway and make it out of the building.
Firefighters said many of the residents were already down to the ground floor and outside even before they pulled up. They did not need to order a complete evacuation.
Residents told News Center Seven it was certainly unusual to be woke up in the middle of the night. Sandra Madwell said, "The fire alarm went off, I heard it, I opened the door and looked out and then I smelled smoke and got down, I used the stairs."
Firefighters said they quickly gained control of the fire and no residents suffered any injuries. That includes the man living in the apartment where the fire started.
Investigators now believe this is an accidental fire. They think the man fell asleep with a cigarette in his hand and that is what sparked the flames.
Firefighters said there is heavy damage to the one apartment but they do expect other residents to be able to get back into their homes.