OLD ORCHARD BEACH — Residents of a School Street apartment building displaced by a January fire are now back home.

The fire broke out in the kitchen of a first floor apartment at Centennial Place Apartments on Jan. 29 around 1 a.m. and spread to the hallway and second floor, while causing smoke damage to the third floor. The fire started as a result of a cooking accident, said investigators.

Residents of the building, which provides low-income housing to seniors and those who are disabled, had to evacuate the building.

Most of the residents stayed temporarily at the Hampton Inn in Saco, then moved to short-term housing in efficiency units in Old Orchard Beach hotels.

Assistant Town Manager V. Louise Reid said that the new summer police recruits assisted 21 residents back into their homes on School Street Saturday.

Reid said it was the first week on duty for the new officers, and they brought a feeling of optimism and encouragement to the fire victims. “One of the residents said, ”˜it was like having a grandson with me,’” said Reid.

Reid thanked the many people and community organizations who helped the Centennial Place residents.

“We are proud of our community and the sensitivity that has been shown by so many and are pleased that our residents are back home,” said Reid.

— Staff Writer Liz Gotthelf can be contacted at 282-1535, ext. 325 or [email protected].