The flames were blowing out of the windows of a Genesee Street apartment building when city firefighters arrived.

In another few minutes, the flames could have licked their way into 189 Genesee St.'s ceilings and duct areas and spread into other apartments.

Worse, most residents of the three-level apartment building were ignoring the fire alarm, oblivious to the fact that this time it was a real fire.

Firefighters were dispatched to the fire at 11:03 p.m. Wednesday.

Firefighters arrived at the scene two minutes later. The fire was contained to the first-floor apartment where it started, but smoke had drifted throughout the east half of the building, which is divided into two parts.

Firefighters worked on squelching flames, while others handled the water supply. Five firefighters were detailed to search for and clear residents from the 16 apartments. They forced entry into a half-dozen vacant apartments to ensure no one was lingering inside.

“All 15 men were used,” said AFD Assistant Fire Chief Jim Lattimore. “In a matter of a few more minutes, it could have been a very bad fire.”

The fire has been labeled suspicious by the Auburn Police Department. The sole resident of the apartment in which the fire started was taken to Auburn Memorial Hospital for a mental health evaluation at 10:42 p.m. Wednesday, said APD Detective Lt. James Bender.

Bender said police could not release the resident's name because it is a mental health matter. The fire is still under investigation.

The building's ownership is unclear because it may have been recently sold, Bender said.

All residents, except for the resident of the apartment where the fire originated, were able to return. Firefighters were able to eject smoke from the building by using positive pressure fans and return the building's ventilation to a safe status. Ultimately, 18 to 20 people were evacuated.

No civilians or firefighters sustained injuries, Lattimore said. Lattimore was thankful that Wednesday's extinguishment was successful, but he said it was a reminder during this month's theme of fire safety prevention that fire alarms never should be ignored or disconnected.

The five firefighters detailed to search duty were “banging on the door, saying, 'You got to leave the apartment now. The building is on fire,' ” Lattimore said. “The detectors are going off for a reason. It might save your life.”

Staff writer Amaris Elliott-Engel can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 282 or at amaris.elliot-engel@lee.net