Apartment fire's cause still under investigation

Fire Marshal Allen Silvers said the cause of Wednesday's fire at Clovis Apartments is still under investigation. He said investigators believe they have the start of the fire traced to an apartment, but the cause is still unknown. Investigators started sifting through the rubble while hot spots were still being put out.

"We're a lot closer, but we don't have anything definitive," Silvers said. "The more we dig, the more questions we come up with and we need to be able to answer those questions."

Clovis Apartment insurance investigators were also working the scene Monday.

At a meeting Monday, Emergency Management Director Ken De Los Santos said Clovis residents have donated $6,000 that will help pay security deposits and rent for the first month for displaced families who must find temporary housing until long-term housing assistance becomes available. Waymon Dowdy, director of Clovis Housing Authority, said there is an eight- to 10-month waiting list for Section 8 assistance.

Clovis Apartment Manager Judy Portillo said she bumped families to the top of Clovis Apartment's waiting list and will offer them apartment units as they become available. Portillo said there are usually one to two openings per month.

Aid organizations request no more clothing donations. If you would like to help the victims of the Clovis Apartment fire contact:

• United Way of Eastern New Mexico

Mail cash or check donations to

United Way

1200 N. Thornton Suite G

P.O. Box 806, Clovis NM 88102

Phone: 2-1-1

• The Matt 25 Hope Center

Call to arrange furniture donations

Phone: 763-4400

• The Lighthouse Mission

Drop off household goods or ready to eat food donations

Phone: 762-1933