Cigarette Starts Fire That Sends One Man To Hospital in Iowa

AMES, Iowa (AP) -- A cigarette caused a fire that sent one man to the hospital and destroyed eight downtown apartments, fire officials said.

The fire started in a second floor apartment shortly after 8 a.m. Saturday. The man taken to the hospital was treated for smoke inhalation and possible burns, said Paul Sandoval, deputy fire chief. His name was not released.

Two businesses also were damaged in the fire, Sandoval said.

Ten adults were left homeless, he said.

``This is a lot of people to be finding emergency shelter for all at once,'' said Jane Lanz, the emergency services director for the Red Cross. ``And it is difficult to find apartments this time of year with all the students back in town.''