Provincial police are investigating a fire that ripped through a vacant apartment in Penetanguishene.

Flames could be seen coming out of the second-storey window of a building on Main Street on Thursday night.

Emergency crews evacuated neighbouring homes and business, as firefighter tried to extinguish the flames.

Officials say the apartment had been vacant for quite some time and the business below was closed. A damage estimate hasn’t been released, but water and smoke damage is extensive.

The OPP say they are investigating, but the cause is not considered suspicious.