LA CROSSE, Wis., Aug. 1 (UPI) -- Fire officials in La Crosse, Wis., said they were investigating a fire that destroyed six apartments, a warehouse and a political advocacy group headquarters.

The fire Saturday destroyed the La Crosse offices of We Are Wisconsin 10 days before a Wisconsin state Senate recall election, the La Crosse Tribune reported Monday.


Kelly Steele, a spokeswoman for We Are Wisconsin, said the liberal advocacy group's offices were destroyed. She told the newspaper it was too soon to know whether the fire will have an effect on the Aug. 9 recall election in which Democratic state Rep. Jennifer Shilling is challenging Republican state Sen. Dan Kapanke.

Shilling's campaign staff had to evacuate its headquarters, which is adjacent to the building that burned. The campaign said it expects workers will be able to return to the office "very soon," the Tribune reported.

Capt. John Helfrich, a La Crosse Fire Department inspector, said it will be days before investigators can determine a cause, the newspaper said.

Residents of the apartments escaped unharmed, said Dave Vaslow, who manages the building.