Fire causes millions of dollars in damages to student apartment complex in Columbia

A $7 million fire has destroyed a major part of a new student apartment complex near the Univeristy of Missouri campus in Columbia. The Brookside on College apartments were to open this fall. Owners say about 30 percent of the building can be repaired and be available before or shortly after school starts in August and the rest should be ready for the second semester that starts in January. The company says it’s negotiating with Stephens College for temporary housing for tenants who don’t want to terminate their leases. The cause of the fire is unknown.