BLOOMINGTON - At least six people - including two children - were displaced after a house fire early Friday damaged an apartment house on the city's near west side.

The rear of the home at 603 W. Front St. sustained extensive damage in the fire, which was reported around 12:35 a.m. Friday, said Deputy Fire Chief Les Siron. The home sustained at least $30,000 in reported damage, Siron said.

The American Red Cross of the Heartland provided clothing, food and two nights in a hotel for six people, said Scott Vogel, director of public support for the chapter. Two adults and two children were displaced from one unit, and two adults from a second unit in the three-unit building, Vogel said.

Siron said it likely would be some time before residents would be allowed to return.

The cause of the fire was under investigation.

A man was taken into custody, initially on suspicion of arson, shortly after the fire but released later on Friday without charges, police and jail officials said.