A Swansea apartment was gutted by fire Tuesday afternoon, but firefighters were able to douse the flames before they spread throughout the building.

The fire started about 12:30 p.m. Tuesday in the building formerly known as the Swansea Towers Apartments, 1320 N. First St., directly across Illinois 159 from the Swansea Village Hall and the older of its two fire stations.

Swansea Fire Chief John McGuire said it appears the fire started on the stove of the apartment.

"When we arrived there was heavy smoke showing. The apartment of origin is completely gutted," he said. "We are pretty lucky we didn't lose four different apartments. The guys did an outstanding job."

The name of resident of the apartment of origin was not released. He was transported to the hospital before firefighters arrived, McGuire said.

Witnesses at the scene said he broke out a window with his hand to escape the flames and cut himself. No other information about his condition was available.

The entire apartment building was evacuated. McGuire said the apartment directly below sustained some water damage, but the other apartments are habitable.

Firefighters were on scene until 2:45 p.m. Tuesday.

Northwest Volunteer and Eastside firefighters assisted Swansea. Fairview Fire Department was on standby.