ROCHESTER, Minn.–A fire at Silver Lake Apartments in Rochester on Monday morning left one man, Ralph Hodges, displaced and with significant damage to his belongings.

He was at the store when the fire started and returned to find flames coming from his bedroom window. He said a majority of his belongings were a complete loss. “Everything beyond my bedroom has smoke damage but can be repaired, ” Hodges said.

Hodges suspects the fire was caused by an electrical outlet under too much pressure. Tragically, he didn’t have renters insurance. “I wish I would have gotten it,” he admitted, adding that he’s currently being helped by a local church.

Firefighter Mandee Marx shared some important fire safety tips: always turn off space heaters and stoves, blow out candles, and keep bedroom doors closed when leaving home. “The door is the biggest barrier to prevent fire and smoke from spreading,” she said.

While this is just one of several apartment fires in Rochester this year, no serious injuries have been reported. Hodges’ cousin is working to set up a GoFundMe to help him recover from the loss, and Hodges urges others to get renters insurance.