Up To 42 People Homeless After Morning Apartment Fire

A fire that began around 10:30 a.m. Thursday morning in the Muir Station Apartment complex on Center Avenue eventually engulfed six units, and caused extenstive damage in 21 units all together, said Con Fire officials.

A spokesman for Martinez police said a cigarette was believed to be the cause of the fire. Con Fire is continuing to investigate the cause.

The fire began on the second floor of the three-story apartment unit, and eventually spread to six units, according to Con Fire investigator George Laing, including units on the third floor. 

The fire and smoke also spread to the attic, he said, causing extensive damage to a total of 21 units, leaving up to 42 people without shelter. Red Cross officials were on the scene Thursday morning to help people find temporary shelter and assistance, he said. 

No injuries to residents or firefighters were reported, Laing said, and four dogs were rescued from the flames, which at one point engulfed the building. 

Stay tuned to Martinez Patch for updates to this breaking story.