It started about 11 p.m. Tuesday at the 10-room Randall Hotel, and the building's roof caved in about four hours later. The structure was smoldering into Wednesday afternoon.
Police Chief Jerry Nelson said authorities thought everyone had escaped but that officials later learned two men were missing. Their bodies were found about 11 a.m.
Intense heat barred fire crews from entering the building, he said.
``Pretty much, when they got here the building was so hot they couldn't even go into it. I think they made it into the first room and that was it. It was just too hot for them to control,'' Nelson said.
Flames shot from the windows, witnesses said.
State investigators were in Lake Andes on Wednesday, but since the building was still smoldering, they have not found the fire's cause yet.
Authorities said the victims did not live in the apartment building.
One of the men was identified, but it likely will take an autopsy to identify the second man, police said. Nelson said both men were local residents.
The building was owned by R.G. Svatos. He said the building was engulfed in flames when he and his wife arrived at the scene.
