Authorities have determined the causes of separate fires that struck apartments Wednesday in Grand Forks and East Grand Forks.
The fire in a second-floor unit in a two-story 24-plex at 1106 26th Ave. S. in Grand Forks was started by combustible items that were on and near a stove that was turned on, a news release from the city said.
The smoke detectors in the apartment were not working, the release said.
The fire forced residents to evacuate at about 3:30 a.m. and caused about $80,000 in damage. A resident and a firefighter suffered minor injuries, but no one was taken to the hospital. By Wednesday evening, most residents had been able to move back into their homes.
In East Grand Forks, ashes dumped into a trashcan are believed to have started a blaze in the upstairs unit of a two-story house divided into three apartments at 136 Fourth St. N.W., Assistant Chief Gary Larson said.
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Residents got out safely and called 911 shortly before 4 a.m. Authorities said the apartment where the fire started was likely a "total loss." The Red Cross put up the residents in a motel.
Larson said the apartment's smoke detectors were working the last time officials checked them.
