(New Carlisle, IN) - A fire broke out in a second-story apartment in New Carlisle Thursday afternoon.

Emergency crews responded to the 500 block of West Michigan St. just before 2:00 p.m. A rear apartment above Expo Discount Liquor was fully engulfed when firefighters arrived.

"We were able to get a good knock-down on it; we were able to contain the fire to the rear of the structure, second-story," said New Carlisle Fire Chief Josh Schweizer. "The apartment occupant was there at the time of the fire," he said, "but she was able to get out safely."

Unfortunately, the woman’s dog died in the blaze. According to Schweizer, the first police officer to the scene reported flames from the apartment which prevented him from searching for the pet. Residents of four other units were not home at the time. Schweizer says the liquor store below the apartments sustained significant water damage.

The fire appears to have started in a bedroom, but the cause is unknown at this time. The Indiana State Fire Marshal is investigating.