(WSBT) Displaced Park Jefferson Apartments residents spent Tuesday surveying the damage caused by a fire that destroyed their homes.

Investigators say a fire started on the second floor of a building in the complex late Monday afternoon and quickly spread to the roof. Many people left without homes are taking things one step at a time, with help from the community.

For most, this was the last glimpse of their homes.

“It was smoke everywhere, and I started crying,” said Anthony Thompson, who lived in the building that caught fire. “It was like our home. I wasn't used to having a fire there.”

After a long night, the Thompsons returned in clothes borrowed from a friend.

“I need help thinking now. I need help processing what to do next,” said Ian Thompson, Anthony's mother. “We have nothing.”

The Red Cross was already at Park Jefferson when Ian Thompson returned.

“They instructed me to talk to the apartment complex; so that's the first step, then deal with the insurer,” she told WSBT News.

Red Cross headquarters was nearly empty Tuesday, but the rental office next door was packed.

“In this case because the apartment complex is able to house them, housing is not an issue,” said Rebekah Go of the American Red Cross. “We are helping with food and clothing.”

And more help is coming through the community.

“We are seeing God working through people. We had strangers yesterday saying, ‘Are you one of the families? Here's my number’,” said Ian.

“It makes me feel a little better,” added Anthony.

Ian Thompson says the good is all she can think about as she and her neighbors sort through what's left of their homes.

Investigators believe they know what started the fire. They say they won't release the cause until they've found evidence to support their suspicion. But they say it was not electrical.