BELLEFONTE, Pa. -- Just days before Christmas, officials are racing to help dozens of people who lost their home in a Centre County apartment fire.

Tuesday's fire in Bellefonte ripped through a three-story building, leaving about 30 people displaced. Officials said 18 apartments were damaged or destroyed

People affected by the fire are encouraged to stop by the Willowbank Building at 420 Holmes Street in Bellefonte for help. There, members of the American Red Cross, the state's Emergency Management Agency were on hand Wednesday. As of Wednesday morning, 24 people had started filling out paperwork for assistance.

The Red Cross is helping fire victims find a place to stay and give them a benefit card to pay for necessities lost in the fire. To donate, call the Red Cross at 814-237-3162.

As of noon Wednesday, the intersection of Bishop and Allegheny streets was still closed down as of noon Wednesday and the badly damaged building was still roped off because of concerns about the building's structural stability.

There is still no word on what caused the blaze. Stay with NEWS9 and WTOV9.com for continuing coverage.