AUBURN — Three people escaped their burning home Monday morning as a fast-moving blaze destroyed much of a 2 1/2 story building on James Street.

Fire crews from Lewiston and Auburn responded around 10 a.m. to reports of a fire at 39 James St. The first firefighters on scene reported heavy smoke coming from the rear of the building and from the roof.

A battalion chief said later Monday that the second and third floors of the residential building were vacant — the three occupants lived on the first floor, fire officials said. They escaped without injury.

The American Red Cross was working with those tenants later Monday to secure temporary housing and assistance.

The building was deemed uninhabitable due to the amount of damage throughout the building.

The Office of State Fire Marshal is investigating the blaze. By late Monday afternoon, the cause had not been determined.

Fire departments from Mechanic Falls, Minot and Durham provided station backup for Auburn Fire Department.