LEWISTON – A fast-moving fire caused heavy smoke and water damage to a three-story apartment building, but all of the residents were accounted for after the fire was put out.

The fire in the Oak Street building, which broke out late Thursday morning, was so intense it forced firefighters out of the structure temporarily. But firefighters succeeded in preventing the flames from spreading to neighboring buildings.

The fire apparently began on the third floor. A maintenance worker who heard the building’s alarms checked to make sure the third-floor tenant was not home, then evacuated the building before calling the Fire Department.