QUINCY - Crews have cleaned the debris from a Nov. 10 apartment fire in Quincy, and Grant County Housing Authority officials plan to start rebuilding as soon as possible.

Two apartments were destroyed by fire and six more suffered heavy water damage in the fire, which was reported about 1:30 a.m. in the 3000 block of Third Avenue SW. Grant County Fire District No. 3 Deputy Chief/Fire Marshal Jim Kling said it was determined that combustible materials had been placed too close to a baseboard heater.

Six families were displaced; four have found other housing, said Carol Anderson, the housing authority executive director. One family is still living in emergency housing and looking for a new residence. The housing authority will help affected families with assistance, that could include rental assistance, for up to a year, Anderson said. The building interior had to be gutted down to the studs, Anderson said. What was left has to dry out before reconstruction can begin, she said.

Once the housing authority's insurance provider issues a scope of work, the project can be advertised for bids, Anderson said. No starting date has been set for construction, she said