A fire at the Willowtree apartment complex Monday in northeast Ann Arbor appears to have started in the attic above several apartments and is believed to be electrical in nature, Fire Marshal Kathleen Chamberlain said Wednesday.

Investigators are still working to eliminate other possible causes of the fire that destroyed 6 apartments and damaged 14 other units at 1837 Shirley Lane. One man, who was hanging from a balcony, jumped to safety, firefighters said.

There’s no indication that the fire was intentionally set, Chamberlain said. The building had working smoke detectors.

About half the apartments in the building were unoccupied, she said.

A resident of the complex is believed to have called 911 to report the fire about 3:30 a.m. Monday, said Battalion Chief Robert Vogel. Firefighters were on the scene in about two minutes, he said.

Firefighters from Ann Arbor, Pittsfield Township and Ypsilanti had the blaze under control in about an hour.

A damage estimate was not available Wednesday afternoon.

Firefighters first saw flames on the second floor, which quickly spread to the third floor and attic, according to a fire department press release issued Monday.

The apartment complex, largely occupied by student renters, is owned by American Campus Communities. The property has 473 units in all. American Campus Communities is one of the nation's largest student housing operators.

The complex was listed for sale last fall.

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