MADISON, Wis. --
About 20 East side residents have been temporarily displaced after a fire damaged their apartment building on Monday night.
Firefighters rescued several people before extinguishing a blaze in an apartment building in the 2200 block of Independence Lane, just off of East Washington Avenue.
More than 30 firefighters battled the blaze, which took about a half hour to contain, WISC-TV reported.
Firefighters said that the 20-unit building had flames in the walls and many of the hallways and staircases were filled with smoke.
"I looked at it and thought, 'This was more than something I can handle,'" said resident Eugene Eruchala. "When I went to get the fire extinguisher, I came back and there was smoke everywhere. It was pitch black. I was like, 'No, we've got to get out of here.'"
"When you heard the calls, there was a lot of panic," said Madison Fire Department spokeswoman Bernadette Galvez. "911 callers were calling because of all the people on the back balconies."
Some residents had to be rescued from balconies on the second and third floors and one man apparently had to jump to safety, WISC-TV reported.
"When I opened the door I only heard someone saying, 'Help,' I think it was from the first stairs, but I couldn't help because I was like in hell," said Medet Amanov, who jumped from the apartment.
Authorities said that there were no injures.
The first floor of the building suffered extensive fire and smoke damage, authorities said.
Residents were initially taken to the Crowne Plaza to warm up. Two hotel guests bought pizza for the victims while they were getting situated with the Red Cross.
"If it happened to me, I would hope that someone would do the same thing," said one of the hotel guests.
Residents received food and a warm place to stay on Monday night as the Red Cross set up a shelter at East High School.
On Tuesday, the Red Cross will provide a service center at Madison East High School. Fire victims will be able to receive debit cards for food and clothing.
The Madison Fire Department said that none of the victims had renters' insurance.
Despite that, residents like Eruchala said they're just grateful that no one was hurt.
"You can always start from the beginning again and get all your property back, but at least save your life first," said Eruchala.
Damage estimates to the apartment complex are estimated around $750,000.
The cause of the fire is under investigation, authorities said.
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