Towering flames ripped through the attic space of the complex late Tuesday night as firefighters worked quickly to contain the blaze.
Crews doused the fire with water in an effort to prevent it from spreading further through the building's structure.
Resident Joseph Casias said he and others were caught off guard by the scene as emergency responders flooded the area.
"We opened up our door. We saw all the lights we came out and it was like we just walked into the bad scene of a movie almost it was just trucks lined up from here to the corner," Casias said.
Casias said he had been inside watching a movie when a neighbor began banging on doors.
Realizing there was a fire, he grabbed a fire extinguisher and tried to help.
"My first instinct was getting them out first then I see that his door is still closed and it wasn't coming out," he said.
Casias said he watched as the flames spread into his own unit, causing extensive damage.
"My kitchen ceiling was just completely torn up because they were trying to put the fire out because apparently it was super hot in there," he said.
When Merced City Fire Department crews arrived, they immediately began rescue efforts and called for additional support.
Fire officials said the type of attic space in the building allowed the flames to potentially spread rapidly.
"They made a really aggressive fire tactic with the common attic-type structure. The fire could've really spread much further than it did," Merced Fire Chief Casey Wilson said.
A total of 14 units were evacuated as the fire spread. Officials said eight of those units were deemed uninhabitable, displacing several residents, including families.
Despite the damage, no injuries were reported.
Casias, who is among those displaced, said he is focused on the impact the fire has had on others in the building.
"I just feel sad you know because it's traumatic for all of us. I know my neighbor downstairs he has kids," he said.
The American Red Cross responded to assist residents, providing emergency support and temporary shelter.
"We provided them comfort kits, blankets we assessed any immediate needs like did they lose medication's medical equipment," said Gameelah Mohamed of the Red Cross.
Residents also supported one another in the aftermath, with neighbors stepping in to help those affected.
"This community of apartments really came together," Casias said.
Investigators believe the fire may have started on a balcony, but officials said it does not appear to have been intentionally set.
The cause remains under investigation.
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