Photo by Nashua Fire Rescue The blackened sliding door and window of a first-floor apartment at 44 Royal Crest Drive show the damage caused by the 2-alarm fire that gutted the apartment early Monday morning. No injuries were reported. (Photo by Nashua Fire Rescue)

NASHUA – An intense, early morning fire that engulfed a first-floor apartment chased the occupants and numerous neighbors from the large, 24-unit building in the Royal Crest Estates complex, officials said.

The building’s fire alarm system alerted residents to the blaze, which was reported at 2:19 a.m. and would eventually reach two alarms and draw apparatus from all of Nashua’s stations to the scene.

The crew of Engine 3 from the Spit Brook Road station, which was the first to arrive at 44 Royal Crest Drive, reported heavy fire coming from the first floor, which was identified as Apartment 2, according to Nashua Fire Rescue Deputy Chief Glen MacDonald.

As the crew attacked the flames, he said, the crew of Ladder 3 entered to conduct a search to make sure everyone was out of the building.

Upon the arrival of Engine and Ladder 2, their crews stretched hose lines to the second and third floors, respectively, to search those areas and check for any signs of fire.

MacDonald called for a second alarm, which brought Engines 5 and 6 to the scene. Members checked conditions around the 12 apartments on the other side of the firewall, a structure in the interior center of the building that divides its 24 apartments into two sections.

MacDonald said that while crews were able to confine the fire itself to Apartment 2, the remainder of the apartments were affected by heavy smoke conditions.

He said it was necessary to shut off power to the side of the building that includes Apartment 2, and that the affected residents were being assisted by the Red Cross in finding temporary shelter.

No injuries were reported to either civilians or firefighters, MacDonald said.

He said the cause of the fire remains under investigation by members of the city Fire Marshal’s office.

Dean Shalhoup may be reached at 594-1256 or dshalhoup@nashuatelegraph.com.