BARNESVILLE — Organizations in Barnesville are striving to help about 50 senior citizens who were temporarily displaced by a Thursday fire.

“It was actually an apartment fire,” Barnesville Fire Chief Tim Hall said of the incident at Barnesville Manor, which began around 9:30 a.m. He added that although the fire was confined to one apartment, the process of dousing the blaze made some portions of the manor unlivable for the time being.

Emergency crews from Bethesda and Somerton also reported to the scene to lend aid.

“We upgraded to second-alarm and got some help. We contained it to that one apartment. The only thing, it was on the third floor so all the floors below got some water damage, between putting the fire out and the sprinkler system,” Hall said. “No injuries. We got everybody evacuated OK and got them outside. It went fairly well considering what went on.”

Hall said the cause of the fire remained under investigation Friday. He believes an electric kitchen appliance may have started the flames.

“No one was home at the time,” Hall said of the apartment where the fire originated.

Hall said about 52 senior citizens were initially displaced by the incident.

“After the fire, we took them to area churches and the senior center for that day, and the Red Cross and the Salvation Army provided them meals,” Hall said. “Since then, I believe they’ve found most of them motel rooms and other ones are with family members.”

Various organizations rallied quickly to help.

“When we heard about it, they came here wanting blankets and I sent what we had,” Virginia Waggle, manager of the St. Vincent De Paul Society Salvation Army Thrift Store and Pantry, said. “We’re helping them out here with clothing and things like that that they might need. If somebody wants to donate something, they can bring it here and we’ll see that they get it. We’re a thrift store and food pantry, and we have several that we’ve given clothing to already.”

Waggle added that her organization cannot provide financial assistance.

Hall said the First Methodist Church in Barnesville housed some seniors.

“We took several residents there yesterday, but I think they’ve since moved,” he said.

A spokesperson for Barnesville Manor could not be reached for comment. When contacted, staff at the building said they were very busy Friday.

The St. Vincent De Paul thrift store is located at 114 W. Main St., Barnesville and can be reached at 740-425-9438.