The cause for a Thursday morning fire that destroyed an apartment building in Cole County is still under investigation, but fire officials don't believe there was anything suspicious about it.
The fire at 3711 Randall Drive was called in around 9:20 a.m. When Regional West Fire Protection District crews got on the scene, they found flames and smoke coming from a ground floor apartment. The fire then spread up to the top two floors.
Crews from the Cole County Fire Protection District were called in to help.
All eight apartments were considered total losses.
Fire officials said the fire started in the corner of the ground floor apartment where a chair and laundry were located. There was no indication there was an electrical problem in the area, and the residents told authorities they did not smoke.
Although there were no injuries, a dog belonging to the residents in the apartment where the fire started was killed.
The state fire marshal was investigating the cause of the fire.
American Red Cross Heart of Missouri Chapter volunteers are currently assisting three families who lost their homes in the fire.
A three-member family - two adults and a toddler - and a single resident received financial assistance to meet their immediate emergency needs with the purchase of food, clothing and shoes.
Another single resident received assistance to purchase food and clothing.
All of these families are staying with relatives while searching for new housing.
Volunteers will be available to meet with other apartment residents as they contact the chapter. Volunteers also will monitor the clients' recovery.
Earlier coverage:
Volunteers with the American Red Cross Heart of Missouri Chapter are responding to a multi-family fire on Randall Drive in Jefferson City.
The fire at 3711 Randall Drive was reported around 9:20 a.m.
Regional West Fire Protection District personnel were called out and when crews arrived they found smoke and flames coming from the structure.
Crews from Cole County Fire Protection District were eventually called in to help fight the blaze.
There is no word on what caused the fire.