OTTAWA — Several people were temporarily left homeless early Saturday morning by a fire that damaged an 11-unit, three-story apartment house at 216 W. Third St. Several people were in the apartment house and fled the fire but weren’t injured, Ottawa Fire Chief Jeff Carner said. When firefighters arrived “… the third floor was pretty heavily involved in fire but crews were able to make an interior attack and pretty much contained the fire to the third floor,” Carner said. The apartments on the first and second floors received light smoke and water damage, he said. The American Red Cross responded to help those who were displaced with finding temporary housing, he said. The cause of the fire was likely caused by an electrical short, probably resulting from a window air-conditioning unit, he said. The fire caused approximately $55,000 in damage to the apartment house and contents, he said. Friends and family are trying to collect clothing for one of the families that lost their possessions because of the fire. Items needed include clothes for a boy 12 to 18 months old, diapers size 3 and for newborns, and baby wipes; and medium-size men’s clothing and women’s clothes. The family is also looking for an apartment or house to rent. Call Amy at 785-204-2666 or Janie at 785-727-3725.
Monday, June 17, 4 p.m.
