12-11-13 downtown ripon fire out

Nobody was injured in a downtown Ripon fire that involved three buildings.  Firefighters were called to the scene on Watson Street around 3:30am.  The buildings house businesses and one upstairs apartment.  One of the buildings was vacant and another was a sub sandwich shop.  Fire officials believe the fire started in the basement of one of the buildings.  The Red Cross is assisting at the scene to help displaced apartment residents.  Jason Mansmith with the Ripon Chamber of Commerce says donations for displaced families can be dropped off at the Chamber office or at the Century 21 office on Highway 23 west.