SANFORD — A total of 14 people were displaced following a fire at a three-story apartment building on Bowdoin Court on Sanford’s east side on Wednesday afternoon.

No one was injured in the blaze in the three-apartment building that was first reported just before 1:30 p.m., said Sanford Fire Department Capt. Brian Watkins.

“We arrived at 1:34 p.m. to smoke showing from the first floor apartment,” Watkins said. There were initial reports someone may have been inside, but that was not the case.

He said the fire was under control by 1:45 p.m.

Watkins said the first floor apartment was heavily damaged by fire, heat and smoke damage. The upper two stories were not damaged by the fire but have smoke damage and the building is currently not habitable.

Watkins said that the American Red Cross of Maine had been called to assist  residents of the apartment building.

Red Cross spokeswoman Ann Kim on Wednesday night said the agency is working with 14 people in three families displaced by the fire, to make sure they have food, a safe place to sleep and other essentials.

“Over the next several days, the Red Cross will be in contact with them to provide financial assistance and community referrals as they begin to make their road to recovery,” Kim said.

As of 4 p.m. Wednesday, there was no word on the cause or origin of the fire. Sanford Fire Marshal Patrick Cotter is investigating.

Alfred Fire Department assisted at the scene, while North Berwick and Lebanon fire departments provided station coverage.

— Senior Staff Writer Tammy Wells can be contacted at 324-4444 (local call in Sanford) or 282-1535, ext. 327 or twells@journaltribune.com.