RENO, NV - Reno firefighters saved 5 apartments and minimized damage to 2 others after a fire destroyed the second floor apartment where it started.

It all happened at the Hillview Terrace apartment complex in South Reno Thursday afternoon, around 2:00pm. Luckily, no injuries were reported.

Firefighters say they believe one tenant had been smoking on a deck, and it was a cigarette that wasn't completely out that led to the fire on 8200 Offenhauser Drive. Witnesses said the fire started in that location, and occupants of the apartment told investigators that they had been smoking on the deck earlier. Investigators believe the discarded smoking materials, which may have been blown out of receptacles on the deck by wind, smoldered for some time before flames occurred.

7 residents, including 1 child, have been displaced, but apartment managers said they have empty units for the displaced residents to move into if need be. The Reno Fire Department requested the American Red Cross which is providing temporary lodging and other assistance to four adult residents, while the other two adults and child made arrangements to stay with friends.

When firefighters first arrived on the scene, they found the second floor apartment where the fire started, along with the living room and patio area of the ground floor apartment below fully involved in fire. Flames had also extended through the attic above another apartment on the second floor. A coordinated attack was made by firefighters on two sides of the structure, while other firefighters prevented further spread of the fire through the attic by ventilating flames, smoke and gases through holes they strategically cut in the roof.

The fire gutted the second floor apartment where it started, heavily damaged the living room in the first floor apartment with smoke damage throughout the remainder of that apartment. Another second floor apartment had attic and ceiling damage.

More than 40 Reno firefighters were on scene, as Reno Police officers provided security and traffic control during the incident, with additional response from REMSA and NvEnergy officials who addressed utility issues.