RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) – A fire that damaged four townhouses and displaced three families in Raleigh Saturday evening was started by “improperly discarded smoking material,” said Keith Tessinear, assistant chief and fire marshal with the Raleigh Fire Department.

The incident was first reported around 5:20 p.m. in the 2400 block of Pumpkin Ridge Way in the Hedingham community.

The fire took about an hour to get under control and 80 firefighters responded to the call.RELATED: 6 displaced after Raleigh townhouses heavily damaged by fire

CBS North Carolina’s Justin Quesinberry returned to the scene Sunday morning and spoke with some of the residents affected by the fire. They declined to speak on camera.

One woman said that the damage had gotten worse over night since many of the ceilings have now collapsed in what’s left of her home. She said the only room spared from damage was her 3-year-old daughter’s room.

Two of the townhouses damaged in the fire were unoccupied at the time as those who lived there were out of town, officials said.

Fire officials said no one was hurt. They had no word on any animal injuries or deaths.

The Red Cross is assisting families who were displaced by the fire. Neighbors are also pitching in.

“I mean, they didn’t’ ask for this. [You have to] pay it forward. People have helped me in the past,” said Courtney Biedell, who is trying to collect clothes for her neighbors.

Authorities said the fire was accidental and no charges would be filed.