GRAHAM, N.C. — The cause of a motel fire that displaced multiple families in Graham can't be determined, a City of Graham Fire Department release said.
The fire sparked at the Embers Motor Lodge off Parvas Lane about 5 a.m. Sunday and tore through the building, burning it and causing $500,000 in damages, according to The Associated Press. There were no injuries.
The property was built in 1955, and officials believe the fire started in the attic in the building's two-story area before spreading to the attached one-story wings to the left and right of the main building.
"Due to the building not being structurally sound enough to enter all parts of the structure and due to the extensive amount of damage in the area where the fire started, we have ruled the cause as undetermined," the City of Graham Fire Department said. "There are many people that have been affected by this devastating fire."
The American Red Cross and the Alamance County Department of Social Services are working to assist residents.
"The outpouring of care and compassion from our local community has been phenomenal," fire officials said.
The First Baptist Church of Graham is collecting donations for the families who are impacted. The church will be collecting donations between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. each day at 224 N. Main Street in Graham.
To make an appointment to drop off donations, residents can call 336-226-7395. Cash or check donations will also be accepted. Monetary donations can also be mailed to the church at P.O. Box 779, Graham NC 27253 or on the church's website under the "give tab," where residents can attach a note indicating the donation is for the Embers fund.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.