PITTSBURGH — Police said a smoldering cigarette butt apparently started an apartment fire that destroyed six units and left about two dozen people homeless.

The fire in the city's Shadyside area was reported about 6:45 p.m. Sunday. The five-alarm fire threatened nearby homes, and officials said nobody was injured in the blaze. It was under control by 9:15 p.m.

Police Sgt. Brian Elledge said the cigarette wasn't properly extinguished.