Careless smoking was the cause of an overnight fire at a building that housed several apartments in Akron, according to the Akron Fire Department.

Firefighters were called to the blaze in the 1200 block of Grant Street around 12 a.m.

The fire caused extensive damage to the apartment.

The American Red Cross is helping the residents with shelter.

No injuries were reported. 

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Two separate robberies in Akron kept police busy through the night Monday.

Around 7 p.m., a 20-year-old woman was robbed as she was walking to her car in a parking lot near the 700 block of Grant Street.

Police say Rande Clark, 19, approached the woman and asked if she knew what time it was. He then pulled out a gun and demanded the woman's purse.

Clark was found a short time later near a home where the purse was found.

He was charged with aggravated robbery and carrying a concealed weapon. He was booked into the Summit County Jail.

Around 11:30 p.m., 22-year-old man was robbed near the intersection of East Buchtel Avenue and Annadale Avenue.

Police say three suspects approached the man from behind and grabbed the victim's backpack which contained laptop computer.

After a brief struggle, the victim let go of his backpack when he heard one the suspects yell for a gun.

Police are still searching for the suspects.
  

Akron police are investigating two separate robberies that happened within eight hours of each other.

Authorities say a clerk was robbed at gunpoint around 7:00 Wednesday night at a Circle K in the 1600 block of East Avenue.

The suspect, wearing a black ski mask, fled the scene with an unknown amount of money.

Around 3:00 Thursday morning, another masked suspect attempted to rob a BP gas station in the 700 block of Grant Street.

The victim told police that the suspect handed him a note demanding money.

The suspect fled empty handed after the clerk hit the alarm and notified police.

Police have released vague descriptions of the suspects.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Akron Police Department.