An early-morning fire damaged 24 units at an apartment complex in Carrollwood.

  • 24 units damaged during fire at Palencia Apartments
  • No people injured; several pets dead
  • No cause of fire identified yet

Officials say the fire was reported at 3 a.m. at the Palencia Apartments at 3450 Palencia Dr.

When firefighters arrived, they found smoke and flames coming through the roof and through the stairwell, so a second alarm was called.

Crews were able to suppress the fire, which was trying to spread to the adjacent building.

Two dozen units sustained some kind of water, smoke or fire damage. The front stairwell of the three-story apartment building was also destroyed in the fire.

Officials have not yet been able to identify a cause of the fire, which apparently spread from the apartments into the stairwell, then eventually to the attic and roof of the building.

Deputies on the scene helped evacuate residents. None were injured in the fire. However, several pets perished.

The American Red Cross has been called to the scene to help residents displaced by the fire.

The investigation continues.