Several Mishawaka families are staying in a shelter after they lost their homes because of a fire.

Flames ripped through a unit at Parkview Terrace Apartments  --- and others were damaged by smoke and water.

Restoration crews were at the apartments all day doing what management said is a preliminary walk through.Crews going up to what’s left of this apartment home to see what they will need to do allow these families to come home

 “What happened last night was terrible, we want to do everything we can to help the families that were affected,” said Maria Carrasquillo,  disaster program specialist at American Red Cross.

Carrasquillo said about 21 people have come in and out this pop up shelter, looking for a temporary home.

“We’re meeting with them with each family individually to assess what their needs are and move from there,” carrasquillo said.

ABC 57 News reached out to the Mishawaka Fire Marshal to ask about the cause of the fire, but so far no response.