Eight apartments in the Viera Aiken complex were damaged at sunrise Sunday morning in a fire that had the Aiken Department of Public Safety in high gear at 2403 Roses Run, starting at about 6:30 a.m.
No injuries were reported, and the four units in the front of the two-story building sustained the most damage, according to a report from the department. Two cats were reported missing from the affected part of the complex, which is near South Aiken High School and was formerly known as Churchill Commons.
Capt. Maryann Burgess, who was among the department's responders, said someone reported "heavy smoke rolling" from a balcony on the ground floor. "Upon arrival, they confirmed that there was heavy smoke and fire...It quickly extended to the second story." She said one occupant was checked for "minor, smoke-related issues" and also noted that all of the building's occupants were removed because all eight units were compromised.