One person is dead and nine families are homeless after an apartment fire at the Parkview Apartment complex in Rensselaer, IN.

Thursday morning’s fire is believed to have started in the kitchen of one of the nine apartments in the building.
Investigators believe it started with a kitchen fire, and a lack of fire walls caused the flames to spread quickly — trapping some people inside.

The body of 63-year-old Mark Stokes was discovered several hours after fighting the fire.

An 8-year-boy was taken to Peyton Manning Children’s Hospital in Indianapolis and a 58-year-old woman was taken to IU Health Arnett Hospital in Lafayette.

Nine families are trying to cope with the loss of their homes.

The American Red Cross is helping. Donations of food and clothing are being accepted.

The fire’s cause has been ruled accidental.

94.1 WGFA