Chief Gary Corbet said the call was received shortly before 10 p.m. and firefighters saw heavy smoke in the attic and flames in a storage space where the electrical panel is located. There was also arcing from the electrical box.
Dominion Power pulled the meter and firefighters contained the fire within 30 minutes of arriving.
Content damage was limited to clothes and Christmas decorations in the storage unit and the rafters, which will have to be replaced. New sheetrock will have to be placed in the storage unit.
Thirteen firefighters responded and the Red Cross arranged for the family to stay elsewhere since the power was cut.
The Roanoke Rapids Housing Authority owns the apartment, Corbet said.
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