HOUSTON -- A two-alarm fire destroyed part of a southwest Houston apartment complex on Friday, KPRC Local 2 reported.

Firefighters were called to the Coral Gables apartment complex on Beechnut Street at Maplecrest shortly after 3 p.m.

The fire quickly spread to several units of one building and smoke could be seen for miles.

Fire officials worked in a defensive mode.

"The main thing we want to do in defensive mode is protect the general exposures of the fire. But the fire has practically gutted this entire complex," said Executive Assistant Chief Rick Flanagan of the Houston Fire Department. "Once the fire gets into the attic, it has a great possibility to spread because it can run the entire pathway of the attic. It looks like that may have been part of the process in this fire."

Eight units were destroyed by the flames and several others received smoke and water damage.

"We just snatched the baby and the rest of the kids and got out of there -- alerted the rest of the neighbors to get them out. I called 911," resident Giovani Banks said.

Banks lost everything in the fire. She said she believed it started in her son's bedroom.

No injuries were reported.

Arson officials are investigating the cause.

Apartment managers worked to relocate those who were displaced.