A five-alarm fire choked traffic during afternoon rush hour Friday along state Route 125 between Amelia and Bethel.

The blaze, which destroyed a business and several attached apartments, is believed to have been started by a child playing with a lighter, and has left several people homeless.

“It’s still under investigation, but it’s possible it was a juvenile playing with a lighter,” said Monroe Township Fire Department Chief Dennis Jowersa. “The call came in a little before 2 p.m., and when we got here it was a heavy fire. It spread through the attic. We have five departments here.”

The fire broke about in the apartments above Sam’s Food Market, which is located near the Starlight Drive In movie theater. Five fire departments responded to the scene, and successfully contained the fire before it could reach the gasoline pumps located in front of the structure. The building and business itself, however, was a complete loss.