Cape fire, police probe blaze at building

The cause of a fire in a basement apartment early Sunday afternoon is undetermined as the Cape Girardeau fire and police departments conduct investigations, officials said Sunday.

The fire department received a call at 2:05 p.m. that reported smoke coming from a basement window at 148 S. Lorimier St., a three-story apartment building.

"Upon our arrival, we had heavy smoke showing from a basement window from the street side," battalion chief Steve Niswonger said. Firefighters subdued the fire within 15 minutes.

Heavy fire damage was contained to the basement, while the rest of the apartment complex received light smoke damage. The estimated cost of the damage is around $30,000, Niswonger said, as the apartment was furnished with appliances and basic furniture.

The origin of the fire was determined to be a spot beside a mattress and box springs on the floor.

Electricity was not connected to the basement as the apartment has been unoccupied for about two weeks. The tenant's last day of occupancy was Sunday. Authorities have only been able to establish the tenant's identity as a woman who was out of town visiting her mother "up north," Niswonger said.

The building is owned by Clay Waller of Cape Girardeau. He could not be reached for comment Sunday.

Witnesses reported that two juvenile girls were looking into a basement window prior to the fire. The police department interviewed witnesses and no arrests have been made.

A state fire marshal is conducting investigations.