Firefighters were called to a fire in Hawker which completely engulfed a unit on Friday morning.
The second floor unit was completely destroyed, with severe smoke damage to the flat above and the block completely evacuated.
![Fire completely destroyed an apartment in Hawker. A cat can be seen escaping by jumping from the balcony.](/web/20161209221204im_/http://www.canberratimes.com.au/content/dam/images/g/t/7/b/n/j/image.related.articleLeadwide.620x349.gt7bor.png/1481239462225.jpg)
Emergency services were called to the unit around 6.45am and ACT Fire and Rescue responded with 3 pumpers, the Bronto aerial appliance and two commander vehicles.
Approximately $250,000 worth of damage was estimated.
Three people were checked by paramedics on scene but did not require treatment.
Neighbour Steven Tritton said it was a big scene but it appeared everybody was okay. He believed two young men lived in the unit.
"It was quite shocking really," he said.
His photos of the scene captured a cat escaping the fire by jumping from the second floor balcony.