NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Firefighters are crediting a 17-year-old daughter with saving her mother during an apartment fire Tuesday morning.

Related: Images: Daughter Credited With Saving Mom | Video

Crews battled the blaze around 3:30 a.m. at an apartment on 11th Avenue South near Archer Street.

Firefighters said the girl opened a window after smelling smoke so her mother could get to safety.

“She’s definitely the hero tonight, and her mother will live on because of her,” said fireman Joe Pruitt.

Flames were seen coming from the building and there was heavy smoke throughout it, firefigthers said.

The mother suffered minor burns and was taken to a local hospital.

About 10 people are being assisted by the Red Cross.

Two units at the complex suffered severe water and fire damage. It was unclear if the family pets made it out alive.

Firefighters are still trying to determine the cause of the fire.