DECATUR - A fire on North Edward Street destroyed a three-unit apartment building on Thursday. 

The Decatur Fire Department says most of the 8 residents living in the unit were not home when the fire started at about 1:30pm.  Firefighters managed to put out the flames within about 20 minutes. 

The American Red Cross arrived shortly to aid the residents with food and shelter. 

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.