NORWAY – The cause of Thursday’s fire at an apartment building at 15 Cottage St. hasn’t been determined, said state Fire Marshal investigator Rick Shepard.

“Unless someone comes forward, we may never know,” Shepard said Friday. “We know where it started, we don’t know why.”

He said the fire began in an apartment on the second floor, but Shepard would not say precisely where. It doesn’t appear to be suspicious in origin, he said. The investigation is continuing.

Four of the building’s seven apartments had been occupied. A total of eight people, including three children, were homeless as a result of the fire that was called in at 12:43 p.m. All who were inside at the time got out safely, but two Pomeranian-mix dogs perished, said Steve Kimball, son-in-law of building owner Madeline Pratt.

Amy Guimond of the local chapter of the American Red Cross said the families have been provided with food, clothing and emergency shelter.

Kimball and the fire marshal were allowing some of the tenants to enter the building Friday to salvage personal items. The second and third floors were a total loss, with extensive smoke and water damage throughout.

Kimball said the building will be repaired and that may involve removing the third floor. The first and second levels will be renovated, he said.

Shepard estimated the loss at $350,000.