Thirty people were displaced following an apartment fire in North Long Beach where roughly 12 residential units suffered damage, according to officials.

Fire crews battled the large blaze that started around 1:30 p.m. Thursday at an apartment building in the 2800 block of Artesia Boulevard.

Neighbors said the chaotic situation started with a bit of smoke but before they knew it, the 65-unit apartment complex erupted in flames.

Long Beach firefighters battle a blaze at an apartment complex in North Long Beach on Thursday May 12. Photo by Fernando Haro.

“It was horrible,” said Bre G., a resident who lives above where the blaze broke out. “It was all black smoke and then the roof collapsed.”

Fire officials confirmed there were “multiple partial roof collapses” before crews were able to knock down the flames.

Dozens of firefighters were deployed to battle the roaring third-alarm blaze that neighbors say started in a bottom unit.

Reports described the blaze spreading from a car to the complex, but officials didn’t immediately confirm those details.

Long Beach firefighters make their way to the roof as they battle an apartment complex fire at the 2800 block of Artesia Boulevard in Long Beach Thursday, May 12, 2022. Photo by Thomas R. Cordova.

Several neighbors were evacuated, but no injuries were reported.

A portion of Paramount Boulevard and East Artesia Boulevard were closed as firefighters extinguished the fire and called in the Red Cross to help displaced residents. The Long Beach Health Department is also helping provide food to the affected parties, officials said.

The investigation into the cause of the fire is ongoing, authorities said. An inspector was also called to assess the damage to the structure, according to the LBFD.

A fire rages next door as a man waters down his roof at the 2800 block of Artesia Boulevard in Long Beach Thursday, May 12, 2022. Photo by Thomas R. Cordova.
A woman looks on as Long Beach firefighters battle an apartment fire at her complex at the 2800 block of Artesia Boulevard in Long Beach Thursday, May 12, 2022. Photo by Thomas R. Cordova.
A Long Beach firefighter holds his position at a fire at an apartment complex at the 2800 block of Artesia Boulevard in Long Beach Thursday, May 12, 2022. Photo by Thomas R. Cordova.