BY VINAYA SAKSENA

CENTRAL FALLS — A fire that left a Rand Street apartment building heavily damaged early Saturday morning displaced several residents, according to the Central Falls Fire Department.

Firefighters responded to 90 Rand St. for a report of a structure fire on Saturday, at approximately 1:10 a.m., according to information provided by the fire department. The fire displaced residents of three apartment units, but no injuries were reported.
According to the fire department, the fire was believed to have started in the northeast corner of the building’s basement. It eventually spread to the first and second floors, and then to the exterior of the building, the department said.
Mutual aid was provided by the fire departments of Providence, Pawtucket and Cumberland, each of which sent one engine and one ladder vehicle. Gas and electric company employees reportedly came to the scene, and the fire department reported notifying the State Fire Marshal’s office, as well as the city’s building and electrical inspectors.
The Red Cross also responded to the scene, which the fire department said had suffered smoke and water damage. According to the fire department, the building was not habitable, and had been boarded up. The fire was believed to have displaced at least nine people, which did not appear to include the owner of the building.
Two neighboring buildings were reported to have suffered damage from exposure to the fire. One had melting siding, while the other had unspecified damage, which was reported to be minor.
No injuries had been reported. The cause of the fire remained under investigation as of press time, according to the fire department.