UPDATED: Friday, January 9, 2009 --- 8:50 p.m.
REPORTER: Chris Woodard

For more than 20 people in Beloit everything is gone after a fire rips through their apartment complex.

Firefighters say flames moved so fast it's just amazing no one was hurt.

Flames shoot through the roof as people stand and watch, helpless. For some it's too much to take knowing the clothes on their back is all they have left.

Cheryl Champlin who lives in the same complex says, "You lose everything. I mean you can't replace your pictures or jewelry and that stuff."

Firefighters did what they could to put out the flames but for those who called this Beloit apartment complex home it's too late.

Jeremy Flanagan with the Beloit Fire Department says, "By the time the first units got here the apartments where it started was already fully involved."

Firefighters say the blaze started when a four year old boy got ahold of a lighter.

Flanagan says, "He started his new snow boots on fire in the corner of a room while mom was out of the room. The fire got going before mom realized what happened."

Because of the buildings age the fire quickly spread through walls and attic space, it's occupants barely escaping injury.

Champlin says, "I'm amazed that everyone got out O.K."

The fact that no one was hurt is do largely to a plow driver that was in the parking lot when the fire started. When he saw a woman coming out of the front door screaming he went into the house and got everyone out.

Champlin says, "He got them out, knocked on everybodies door in the 1974 building and got them out of the building really quick."

Quick enough to save lives but not property. The entire apartment complex is torn down, everything in it reduced to a pile of ash.

The complex manager says only people in one of the eight units that were occupied had renters insurance.

But they do say they have apartments available in other complexes for each family needs a place to stay.

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UPDATED Friday, January 9, 2009 --- 7:07 p.m.

From the Beloit Fire Department:

The building is a complete loss with a damage estimate set at $400,000. There was an additional $100,000 worth of contents and possessions lost in the fire.

Remember to keep all lighters and matches away from children. Renter’s insurance would have protected occupant’s belongings. Do not take batteries out of smoke detectors.

UPDATED Friday, January 9, 2009 --- 4:10 p.m.

Update from NBC15's Chris Woodard at the scene of the apartment building fire in Beloit.

Investigators believe a 4-year-old child started the fire. They believe he used a lighter on a pair of boots. His mother was in the bathroom when this happened.

No one was hurt in the fire.

Damage is estimated at $400,000. Every unit has been impacted by the blaze. A backhoe is already demolishing the burned-out shell.
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UPDATED Friday, January 9, 2009 --- 2:45 p.m.

From the Beloit Fire Department:

The City of Beloit Fire Department was called for an apartment fire at 1974 Cleora Dr. at 1206pm. This is a 12-unit apartment building.

First arriving units found flames and smoke showing from the roof and 2nd floors. They made entry into the building for search, rescue and extinguishment but were forced to exit the building because of a potential collapse.

Exterior firefighting is still going on at this time.

Fire Districts on fire scene are City of Beloit, Town of Beloit, City of South Beloit, City of Janesville, Town of Turtle, Cherry Valley, Edgerton, Rockton, Harlem Roscoe, North Park, Clinton, and Evansville.

At this time the investigation under way and the cause is yet to be determined.

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Posted Friday, January 9, 2009 --- 2:20 p.m.

Right now, the Beloit Fire Department is at the scene of an apartment fire.

The address is 1974 Cleora Drive.

The alarm started at 12:08 pm. NBC15 News has learned companies from many fire districts are on scene.

According to the Beloit Daily News, the American Red Cross: South Central Wisconsin Chapter is sending volunteers to assist those left without a place to stay because of the fire.

More information is expected to be released within the hour.