WEB EXTRA: Family Escapes Accidental Fire Sparked by Lighter

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- The Red Cross is assisting a family left homeless after a morning apartment fire in Springfield.

Battalion Chief Brad Eden says crews were called to the Winter Park Apartments at S. Campbell Ave. and W. Bennett St. just after 11:30 a.m. Wednesday.

Flames and smoke could be seen coming from unit 4, which on the first floor of the building. The apartment complex is just across the street from ParkviewHigh School.

"We did evacuate the other tenants that were in the rest of the building," says Eden (full interview above). "Everybody got out fine."

The family that lived in the unit made it out safely, but won't be able to return due to the smoke damage. No other units were damaged.

Fire Marshal Bill Spence says the fire appears to be an accident. He tells KOLR10 a child was playing with a lighter, which sparked the blaze.