UPDATE: The cause of the apartment fire has been ruled accidental.
The investigator says a resident was heating up some grease on the stove to cook something and left it unattended. When the resident returned to the kitchen, the room was on fire and spread very quickly.
The dollar loss was estimated at $180,000 for the building and its contents.
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ORIGINAL STORY: An apartment fire reported just after midnight Monday at 4114 Webb Road displaced five people this morning.
The residential structure on fire contained three apartment units. Flames were seen shooting 20 to 30 feet in the air when firefighters arrived. The fire was visible on three sides of the triples, and it was set to spread to another residence 20 feet away.
Firefighters were able to alert all residents and get them out safely. They were able to limit the damage to the other structure near the triplex to its exterior siding and roof.
The triplex fire was extinguished, but the damage was substantial.
Volunteers with the American Red Cross were called in to provide assistance the victims.