NATCHEZ — A late night fire on Wednesday left Makita Smith’s apartment in ruins and had groups of residents standing in their pajamas in the cold night air.

The Natchez Fire Department responded to an apartment fire at the Susie B. West Apartment complex just before 11:30 p.m.

Fire chief Paul Johnson said the cause of the fire is still unknown and the case is under investigation.

Johnson said investigators were looking into a possible link between Wednesday’s fire and one that originated in a storage area at the same complex approximately one month ago.

Johnson said Wednesday’s fire destroyed one apartment while three others were ruined by smoke or water damage.

Two engines responded to the fire and Johnson said it was contained in approximately 15 minutes.

The state fire marshal is expected to begin an inspection of the complex on Friday morning Johnson said.

No injuries were reported as a result of the fire.