BAY CITY, Mich. -- An apartment fire has forced a number of people out of their homes after fire crews were called to the Manor Apartments on Kosciusko Avenue just after midnight Wednesday.

Crews pulled a number of residents to safety as they battled the blaze.

Thursday firefighters had to demolish the remains of the building because the blaze traveled behind the walls and the flames were inaccessible to them.

Fire crews said the building burned very intensely and it used to be the location of a cigar factory.

Two women were trapped after a stairwell caught fire, one of which was the last person removed from the building.

Rebecca Shack got via ladder truck and had her only belongings in her arms. “This is from my kid,” she said of the items in her arms as she started tearing up.

After more than 13 hours fighting flames, crews decided the structure must come down to stop it from rekindling.

This action also means fire investigators may never know the cause.