By Shavonne Walker

shavonne.walker@salisburypost.com

EAST SPENCER — Officials still don’t know what caused an early Monday morning fire that displaced 12 tenants at East Winds apartment complex, East Spencer Fire Chief Shawn McBride said Wednesday.

McBride said investigators know the fire started in an upstairs bedroom, but they were unable to figure out how it started.

The call to 911 was received about 1 a.m. Minutes later, firefighters were on the scene at the North Boundary Street building.

The fire destroyed two apartments on the second floor, and the apartments below suffered water damage. McBride said firefighters were able to save eight other apartments, but the fire and water damage displaced 12 tenants.

The property manager made a couple of units available to some of the displaced residents. The local chapter of the American Red Cross also assisted tenants.

McBride said the initial dispatch indicated someone was trapped inside the apartment. While fire crews were en route, the call was upgraded to a two-alarm fire.

“It took us less than two minutes to get a first unit there,” he said.

When the first unit arrived, flames were spilling through the roof, which indicated to McBride that the fire had been burning for some time.

Contact reporter Shavonne Walker at 704-797-4253.