A fire at an extended-stay motel on Commerce Drive in Florence forced about 50 people from their homes early Sept. 10, with no injuries reported.

Flames broke out around 4:45 a.m. at HomeTowne Studios by Red Roof, located off Burlington Pike near Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport. Florence Fire Chief Rodney Wren said first responders could see flames as they approached the building, and police confirmed a working fire inside.

People banged on doors to alert families to get out, according to WCPO.

Zachory Matteol, one of the evacuees, told WLWT he had no warning before the commotion started. "I was busy playing video games and all of a sudden, I hear banging on the walls … It looked like a bonfire, like roasted marshmallows or something," Matteol said.

At least one resident told FOX19 NOW he did not hear fire alarms until he was already outside the building. Chief Wren said local and state fire officials will look into the alarm issue as part of their investigation into the cause of the blaze. The Kentucky state fire marshal was en route to the scene as of Wren's news conference, held shortly before 7:30 a.m.

Wren told Local 12 the fire was mostly contained to the front of the building around an office space.

Katie James, a city of Florence spokeswoman, confirmed 50 people were displaced. The American Red Cross was called in to assist the families, according to a city social worker cited by FOX19 NOW. The city is working with the Red Cross to relocate residents to another hotel.

Florence police brought in Transit Authority of Northern Kentucky (TANK) buses so displaced residents had a dry place to wait in case it rained, Wren said. Social workers were also on scene helping residents connect with resources.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation. No timeline has been given for when residents might be allowed to return or when the fire marshal's findings will be released.

Anyone with information about the fire can contact the Florence Police Department at 859-647-5420 or the Boone County Emergency Communications Center at 859-334-2250.