****UPDATE: The cause of the fire was an exhaust fan.****

Sixteen apartment units in Carrboro were damaged in a fire Monday evening.

Flames were shooting through the roof of The Villages of Chapel Hill apartment complex on Smith Level Road.

Eight units sustained “heavy fire damage,” according to officials with the Carrboro Fire Department. Eight other units have smoke and water damage.

Emergency crews from across the area responded to the fire shortly after 5:20 p.m. Monday and had the fire under control by approximately 6:15 p.m. and extinguished around 8 p.m.

Chapel Hill Transit crews were on the scene to assist the displaced residents and the Red Cross was working to find lodging.

Officials reported there were no injuries to civilians or firefighters. Police did rescue one dog. Two cats were unaccounted for as of last update.

Photo via Mike Benson

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