BATH — The Salvation Army is seeking donations for nine residents who were displaced by a Sept. 2 fire in a 40-unit apartment building.

The 10:15 a.m. fire at Seacliff Elderly-Disabled at 47 Floral St. started in a first-floor apartment on the building’s south wing, according to Debora Keller, executive director of Bath Housing, which owns the property.

The residents were evacuated by Bath firefighters, and the Maine State Fire Marshal’s Office has deemed the cause undetermined since it could have sparked from smoking – which is prohibited in the building – or overloaded electrical circuits in the apartment’s living area.

Fire, smoke and water damage have rendered nine apartments uninhabitable. The nine relocated tenants have experienced expenses involved with transportation and cleaning or replacing belongings, Keller reported.

Donations can be made by contacting the Salvation Army at 443-3611.

Bath Housing has come up with plans to relocate the displaced tenants, and is finding them interim housing. They can return once restoration is complete.

Demolition was to begin this week, and full building recovery could take months, Keller said.

The Salvation Army had as of Tuesday received two donations, and is working with the displaced tenants on finding laundry and furniture, Keller noted. The Bath Area Food Bank is also assisting those residents.

Bath Housing expressed gratitude to responding fire departments, as well as Life Church Midcoast, Bath Area Senior Activity Center, and Bath Area Food Bank for their immediate support during and after the fire with food, space and communications equipment.

The Seacliff Elderly-Disabled property serves individuals and families who have incomes less than 50 percent of the area median.

Alex Lear can be reached at 781-3661 ext. 113 or alear@theforecaster.net. Follow him on Twitter: @learics.

A Sept. 2 fire at Seacliff Elderly-Disabled apartment complex in Bath has displaced nine residents. Donations are sought for personal belongings damaged in the blaze.