Friday night fire damages one apartment in 2-story building

Jefferson City fire officials continued Saturday to investigate the cause of a fire in one apartment of a two-story, five-apartment building at 227 W. Dunklin St.

Investigators said early Saturday the fire appears to have started in the kitchen of one of the upstairs apartments - and that apartment "sustained moderate fire and smoke damage."

Lower level apartments also had water damage from the fire department's work in "extinguishing the fire before it spread to adjoining apartments."

No injuries to residents or firefighters were reported.

The Red Cross was asked to assist the one resident - who wasn't identified - who was displaced by the fire.

There was no noticeable damage showing on the outside of the building Saturday.

In a news release, the department said they were called at 11 p.m. Friday to investigate a report of "smoke in a structure."

By the time firefighters reached the scene minutes after getting the call, they reported seeing flames coming from the second floor.

The news release didn't say whether any smoke detectors played a role in warning those in the apartment building of the fire.

But, the release said: "The Jefferson City Fire Department would like to take this opportunity to remind everyone to make sure you have a working smoke detector and an escape plan in case of a fire."

Officials said 20 Fire Department personnel responded to the fire, and were assisted by Jefferson City Police officers, two Cole County EMS employees and representatives from Ameren UE and the American Red Cross.

No damage estimate had been released by Saturday afternoon - typically, that estimate is made as part of the investigation.