FLORENCE — Florence Fire officials said the cause of a Tuesday afternoon fire that displaced a family of eight was likely electrical.

“That’s what we have developed from the initial investigation,” Florence Fire Marshal Danny Sembeck said Wednesday.

Sembeck said fire inspector, Lt. Jeff Bevis, is continuing to investigate the fire that caused heavy damage to the residence on St. Peter Street.

Shirley Hensley, who lives at the residence with her family, said Tuesday the fire apparently started in a bedroom closet and quickly spread when the heating system cycled on and spread smoke through the house.

Florence Fire Department received the call at 12:57 p.m.

Hensley said the overhead vent in the kitchen came on and smoke began to fill the room. She said when she looked in the bedroom, flames were coming from the closet door.

Elizabeth Moore, executive director of the American Red Cross of Northwest Alabama in Florence, said members of the disaster action team went to the house Tuesday and made housing arrangements for the family.

“We took care of their immediate needs by getting them a place to stay and some other items,” Moore said.

She said the Red Cross will provide housing for the family as much as three days, if needed.

“That should give them time to make other arrangements,” Moore said.

Tom Smith can be reached at 256-740-5757 or tom.smith@TimesDaily.com.