WATERVILLE — College Avenue was temporarily closed to traffic Wednesday afternoon as firefighters responded to a fire at a residential building.

The Waterville Fire Department was dispatched just after 4 p.m. to the Home Place Inn at 150 College Ave., fire Chief Shawn Esler said at the scene. Firefighters found flames on the roof and heavy smoke coming from one of the buildings that comprise the inn.

The people living there were able to evacuate safely and no injuries were reported, Esler said. Crews were able to quickly contain the flames inside the building, known as building B, even though the fire had spread into the attic.

The building’s red metal roof was burned black by the fire, and around 4:45 p.m. there was still smoke coming from the structure. Firefighters extended ladders from two firetrucks to reach the roof and they appeared to pry up the metal near the point of the roof.

The building has eight units, but Esler said he did not know the number of people displaced by the fire. There is expected to be significant damage to the inside of the building, he said.

Esler said he did not have any information on the cause of the fire, but the investigation is ongoing.

Firefighters from Fairfield and Winslow assisted at the scene.