The fire occured at 5034 Clark Lane at The Links at Columbia Apartments around 1:40 p.m. Firefighters used eight units, including three ladder units to extinguish the fire from the air.

The fire occurred on a second floor porch where it burned a small hole in the roof. The cause of the fire was a cigarette.

At 1:47pm, the fire was classified as a two alarm fire, meaning additional units were brought in to help bring the blaze under control.

Six people were home at the time, the Columbia Fire Department says everyone was evacuated safely. Links management is temporarily housing the residents in vacant apartments until cleaning and repairs are completed.

Damages are estimated around $30,000.