WEST BLOOMFIELD TOWNSHIP, Mich. -- Firefighters on ladders were helping senior citizens evacuate from a fire at a Michigan apartment complex on Wednesday

It wasn't clear how the fire began at the Lillian & Samuel Hechtman Jewish Apartments in West Bloomfield.

Smoke could be seen coming from the sprawling, three-story red brick building, and some residents came to balconies looking for help.

The fire started around 10:30 a.m. on the third floor of the three-story building, WDIV-TV in Detroit reported.

Firefighters had to carry many residents down a ladder after they climbed from windows and balconies of the upstairs floors.

Emergency medical technicians were at the scene to treat residents, the television station reported.

There were no immediate reports of serious injuries.

The apartment complex is run by the Jewish Apartments & Services agency, which is overseen by the Jewish Federation of Metro Detroit.

There are two Hechtman apartment buildings on the Jewish Community Campus in West Bloomfield.

Hechtman I, where the fire was located, has 103 subsidized one-bedroom apartments and is open to those who require a barrier-free apartment or one for the physically handicapped.

The rent is subsidized through the Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Hechtman II offers 89 one-bedroom market-rate apartments, two studio market-rate apartments and seven market-rate apartments with subsidies available.

Residency in both buildings is available only for those 62 years of age or older.