New London — Firefighters responded Friday morning to a fire in an apartment building at 43 Bank St.

The multi-unit building, owned by Port City Realty Inc., was evacuated about 7:40 a.m. after a fire broke out in the lower level. Firefighters went door to door knocking to evacuate residents. Fire officials said the blaze was contained to the lower level.

The building has at least two floors and about 12 apartments. Residents who live on the second floor said they saw smoke from their windows.

Residents were welcomed into Muddy Waters across the street and then were being bused to the New London Senior Center on Broad Street about 8:30 a.m., a fire official said.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.