BETHANY, Mo. - A fire early Friday in an older apartment building located east of the Bethany downtown square displaced construction workers and families.

The fire call came in about 2:30 a.m. Friday and the ladder and pumper truck units were dispatched because the Weddell Apartments involve a large, old building, said John Gannan, Bethany fire chief.

Fireman were able to confine the fire to a kitchen area, however, the smoke damage was extensive and the building required ventilation, Mr. Gannan said. Residents were evacuated to a local motel and the Midland Empire Chapter of the American Red Cross was contacted to provide assistance, he said.

Details are sketchy, but the Red Cross is providing assistance for eight rooms, said Karla Long, emergency services director for the chapter. A team will be in Bethany Friday meeting with the displaced, Mrs. Long said.