American Red Cross volunteers Sunday were helping about 45 people displaced after an early morning fire at a Lakeville motel.
No one was injured, but the fire caused substantial damage at the Friendly Host Inn at 17296 Kenrick Av., according to Lakeville Police Sgt. Steve Klehr.
Firefighters from Lakeville, Burnsville and Apple Valley responded to the fire about 4 a.m. Klehr said it took them several hours to extinguish the blaze, which was confined to the second floor of the three-story building.
Klehr said the motel is now closed and the cause of the fire is under investigation by the Minnesota State Fire Marshal.
Early Sunday, the Red Cross began helping get food and clothing for people who had been staying at the motel, said Mark Steffer, a volunteer disaster responder. Later in the day the organization expected to begin finding new places for people to stay, he said.
Susan Feyder
