PORTLAND, Ore. -- A two-alarm apartment fire in northwest Portland displaced 17 people Wednesday evening.

The fire was burning in an attic at 424 NW 21st Ave. when Portland firefighter crews arrived.

"The first time someone banged on my door I thought it was somebody wanting to talk to me and I didn't want to get up," said Jean McGee, who lives at the apartments. "And then I heard it again and I thought, 'what's going on out there?'"

Firefighters tore down the ceiling on the third floor and cut holes in the roof to allow the concealed fire to flare up, which in turn allowed crews to extinguish it.

The fire was first reported at 5:13 p.m. and was recalled at 6:52 p.m.

The cause of the fire is unknown.

"They've been working on the roof I guess," said John Sullivan, who was forced to evacuate. "That's what somebody said. I don't know how true it is."

Two people who lived in the apartment building were treated for minor medical issues related to the high temperatures and smoke.

Ken's Artisan Bakery opened its doors to the displaced elderly residents to give them a cool place to stay out of the heat. The Blue Moon Tavern gave firefighters a respite from the heat and gave crews ice water.

The Red Cross helped all of the residents of the building with emergency services.

Two-Alarm Fire Displaces 17 In NW Portland