Fundraising campaigns have been launched to support families displaced by a fire that caused $600,000 in damage to three San Marcos apartment buildings Monday afternoon. Officials said 27 people were displaced by the fire, which was reported shortly before 1:25 p.m. on West San Marcos Boulevard near Tiger Way. Four apartment units were a complete loss, while two others suffered smoke and heat damage, fire officials said. The cause of the fire is under investigation. Witnesses told firefighters it appeared to start on the exterior of one of the buildings before spreading to a fence and another four-plex. Two units in a third building also were impacted, officials said. No one was injured. At least four fundraisers have been set up on GoFundMe — for the Lezama family, the Hernandez family, the Beltran family and one that did not provide the name of the family being assisted. Jamie Smith, the emergency manager for the San Marcos Fire Department, praised the “consistent and dependable coordination” of the school district, public safety agencies and city emergency managers in the fire response. Smith said school district officials were provided with addresses of the affected buildings, which they used to determine which students were impacted. Five children were among those displaced. She said a safe pickup plan was established while fire officials set up a location in a nearby gym where families could access support. “This coordinated response reflects the City’s continued investment in strong partnerships and the dedication of public safety agencies and community organizations working together to take care of our residents,” Smith said in a statement. She said families were given a week’s worth of lodging at a hotel, provided by a local businessperson, while the Red Cross is also assisting displaced residents. ...read more read less