wistv.com - Columbia, South Carolina |Fire officials: Careless smoking started apartment fire

Fire officials: Careless smoking started apartment fire

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COLUMBIA, SC (WIS) - Residents at an apartment complex near Forest Acres have been displaced following a fire at the complex Monday night.

According to Fire Chief Aubrey Jenkins, residents in the 500 Building of 42 Magnolia were evacuated while firefighters worked to extinguish the fire.

Fire officials say the fire started around 8:45 p.m. and the bulk of the damage was in the middle of the 500 Building between a second and third floor apartment.

In all, 24 apartments were damaged in the fire. Two of the apartments have fire damage while most of the other apartments have water damage.

Investigators say the cause of the fire was the "careless use of smoking materials."

The damage to the complex is estimated to be worth $200,000.

The Red Cross is assisting those who were displaced.

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SLIDESHOW: Fire at 42 Magnolia

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Click here to see several photos taken during the fire at 42 Magnolia.