Firefighters from three agencies responded to a reported commercial structure fire at the Apollo Inn, located at 4125 N. Highway 1.  The motel is a single-story, multi-unit commercial property located in unincorporated Brevard County.  The call for assistance was received early Sunday morning at 12:42 a.m.

First arriving engine crews reported finding light smoke coming from the eaves of the structure.  Upon further inspection, a fire was located at the rear of the motel and was affecting two rooms and a small outbuilding.  Both rooms were vacant.  Firefighters worked quickly to contain the blaze and were able to achieve knock down on the fire within 15 minutes.  Firefighters checked the roof, ceilings, and adjoining rooms for extension and damage but found none. 

A preliminary investigation into the cause of the fire shows that it began at the base of a hot water heater where the natural gas regulator connected to it.  District Chief Tom Campbell credits water contained in the heater with slowing the spread of the fire.  Damage to the heater and the vacant units is estimated at $2000.  A county fire inspector will conduct an thorough investigation at the scene to determine the exact cause of the fire.

More than 20 firefighters from Brevard County Fire Rescue, Cocoa Fire Rescue, and Four Communities Volunteer Fire Department worked to extinguish the fire and keep damage to the motel at a minimum.  The owner of the property was on scene to assess the damage and expects to remain open for business while repairs are made.  The motel has a total of 20 units.  No guests were displaced as a result of the fire.