A fire at a house that was converted into apartments has left several Greenville people without homes.

The fire, which started at 12:30 p.m. Tuesday, destroyed three apartments at 83 N. Second St, according to a news release from Greenville Fire Chief Steve Thompson. Firefighters were unsure exactly how many people lived in the building.

The balloon-frame type structure, owned by Charles W. Hunt of Hadley, allowed the fire to travel up the walls of the building to a third-floor attic. Firefighters had to climb onto the steep roof to cut ventilation holes, Thompson said.

Jason Davidson, a resident of the building, said he saw the fire burning in another apartment and tried to put it out after getting everyone out of the building. Robin Reley, who just moved in a few days ago, lived in the apartment that caught fire, Thompson said.

Rebecca Maun, a first-floor tenant said, "I was amazed at how fast the fire department arrived ... this time it seemed like after I hung up the phone it was only a few minutes until the fire trucks were pulling in the driveway." Firefighters said they had two engines and the borough's ladder truck at the scene within 4 minutes of the call.

A first-floor apartment sustained water damage; a second-floor front apartment had heavy fire damage in the kitchen, with heat and water damage throughout; a second-floor apartment in the rear had water damage; and there was fire damage on the third level, the news release said.

The fire, which apparently started near a stove in a second-floor apartment, was ruled accidental, Thompson said, adding that a state police fire marshal will visit this morning to investigate.

Firefighters said they were able to save several pet birds.

Damage estimates were not determined Tuesday night, but the building was insured and the Red Cross was assisting the residents, firefighters said

Volunteers from Hempfield and West Salem townships and Jamestown assisted.