Fire in Urbana ruled an accident

The apartment building fire 11 days ago that sent victims scurrying into the streets and displaced 21 people was ruled an accident Wednesday by the Division of the State Fire Marshal.

Investigators with that office determined that the fire at 292 Finch St. in this Champaign County city that struck in the early morning hours of Saturday, Jan. 14, occurred because of the use of smoking materials that were placed or kept too close to combustible materials.

The result of the investigation was made public by Shane Cartmill, public information officer with the fire marshal, Ohio Department of Commerce.

Two people suffered minor injuries in the fire that originated at or near a coffee table in Apartment C of the multi-unit building, the fire marshal's office said. One of those who was injured suffered burns to his shoulder when he tried to extinguish the flames. He refused medical treatment at the scene, News Center 7 reported the day of the fire.

The fire caused severe damage to the first floor as well as the second floor in the center of the building, fire officials said.  The apartments were equipped with smoke alarms and it is believed that several of them did activate.

Urbana's fire and police departments also assisted in the investigation, Cartmill said.