Fire early Saturday morning caused extensive damage to an apartment-business building in the 600 block of Good Hope.

Firefighters were called at 7:06 a.m. to the second floor apartment on the east side of the three-story wood and brick structure located at 621 Good Hope.

Captain Ron Kistner said papers, cardboard boxes and other combustible material stored over a long period of time near the water heater were dried out by the heat and ignited by a pilot light.

Kistner said the burning papers ignited a thin fiberboard wall panel next to the water heater and spread flames upward to the ceiling and into the third floor attic area.

"When we arrived, there was heavy smoke coming out the windows of the second floor apartment," said Kistner.

The fire was discovered by the tenant, Ramona Segels, who was taking a shower in the bathroom across the hallway from the water heater. She and another occupant in the apartment fled from the burning, smoke-filled apartment without injury.

Kistner said there was heavy fire, heat and smoke damage to the apartment, with extensive fire damage to wooden joices and roofing beams in the attic.

Kistner said a brick fire wall prevented the fire from spreading to an adjoining apartment on the west side of the building. But he said there was some smoke damage to the west side apartment and contents.

Kistner said the two ground floor businesses, River City Discount and Mid-Town Hair Stylings, received light smoke damage.

Assistant Fire Chief Jim Niswonger said it appeared the fire may have caused major structural damage to the brick wall on the east side of the building. As a precaution, the alley along the building has been closed because of the danger of falling loosened by the fire.

Niswonger said the city building inspector will examine the building Monday to determine the extent of damage caused by the fire.

The building is owned by Claude A. "Nip" Kelley.