The fire broke out around 1:30 p.m. in the 800 block of East Vernon Road near Stenton Avenue.
Firefighters say they arrived to find heavy smoke coming from the second floor of the three-story building.
A second alarm was struck a few minutes later as the building was evacuated.
The view from Chopper 6 HD showed smoke billowing from the complex as firefighters battled the flames.
There was no word on how this fire started.
The American Red Cross of Southeastern Pennsylvania is assisting 5 families, 8 people (including 3 children) following the apartment fire. 4 of the families will be staying at Red Cross House.
