OLD ORCHARD BEACH — Residents of the Centennial Place apartment building are now in temporary housing in town.

Residents had to evacuate the low income apartment building at 6 School St. early morning Jan. 29, after the spread of a kitchen fire on a first floor apartment. Twenty-eight people in all have been displaced, according to town officials. The building is run by Alpha Management and provides housing for seniors and disabled people.

The American Red Cross had provided temporary housing for those in need through Friday morning at Hampton Inn in Saco.

Town officials say that tenants on one half of the building will have to wait at least three weeks to return to their apartments, while there is no definite timeline for those who live on the other, more heavily damaged side of the building.

Town Manager Larry Mead said the town helped coordinate a move Friday for some of the displaced residents to efficiencies in Old Orchard Beach.

He said moving day ran smoothly, thanks to the help of town staff and a “wonderful group” of volunteers. Volunteers were also taking those settling into temporary efficiencies to the grocery store, as they now have the facilities to cook meals.

“It’s been a long and busy day for people,” said Mead.

Mead said HUD and Alpha Management are managing the payment of the housing. The town is not responsible for any of the rental costs of the efficiencies, but will step in if the current arrangement fails, said Mead.

Mead said temporary housing is being coordinated for about 20 people. A few of the Centennial Place residents had renter’s insurance, and are receiving help through their insurance agency, he said.

Many of the Centennial Place residents have pets, and Mead said the owners of the temporary housing are allowing up to two pets per unit, and other pets are being taken care of by people in the community.

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